Menu
XfireXfire
Full search page
Past puzzleSeptember 11, 2026Three levels

Pips hints: September 11, 2026

Revisit the Pips puzzle from September 11, 2026 (2026-09-11) with hints and answers for every level.

September 11, 2026

Pips hints and answers

Use the board and domino inventory as your reference. Each level has separate area clues, an optional placement from the recorded answer, and its complete solution.

Easy · 5 pieces

Easy board

4 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum = 3
A2No rule
A3Sum > 3
A4All equal
A5Sum = 6
A5Sum = 6
A4All equal
A6Sum < 3
A7All equal
A7All equal
Area 1: Sum = 3Area 2: No ruleArea 3: Sum > 3Area 4: All equalArea 5: Sum = 6Area 6: Sum < 3Area 7: All equal

Available dominoes: Piece 1: 5-2; Piece 2: 3-3; Piece 3: 4-5; Piece 4: 1-2; Piece 5: 3-4.

Where to look

Area 1 has 1 cell: Sum = 3. Look at row 1, column 2.

A local clue for Area 5

The two cells in Area 5 must total 6. Using values from 0 to 6, the possible pairs are 0 + 6; 1 + 5; 2 + 4; 3 + 3.

Other areas and the available dominoes may rule out some of these pairs.

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 5 (3 | 4), horizontal: row 1, column 2 has 3, paired with row 1, column 3 containing 4.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Easy board

4 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A13Sum = 3
A24No rule
A34Sum > 3
A45All equal
A53Sum = 6
A53Sum = 6
A45All equal
A61Sum < 3
A72All equal
A72All equal
Area 1: Sum = 3Area 2: No ruleArea 3: Sum > 3Area 4: All equalArea 5: Sum = 6Area 6: Sum < 3Area 7: All equal

Each outlined pair is one piece. Piece numbers identify the same domino in the list below, including when two pieces have the same values.

  1. Piece 1 (5 | 2): vertical; row 3, column 2 = 5, paired with row 4, column 2 = 2.
  2. Piece 2 (3 | 3): horizontal; row 2, column 4 = 3, paired with row 2, column 5 = 3.
  3. Piece 3 (4 | 5): horizontal; row 2, column 1 = 4, paired with row 2, column 2 = 5.
  4. Piece 4 (1 | 2): vertical; row 3, column 3 = 1, paired with row 4, column 3 = 2.
  5. Piece 5 (3 | 4): horizontal; row 1, column 2 = 3, paired with row 1, column 3 = 4.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  2. Area 2: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  3. Area 3: Sum > 3. 4 = 4 > 3.
  4. Area 4: All equal. 5 = 5: all cells have the same value.
  5. Area 5: Sum = 6. 3 + 3 = 6; target 6.
  6. Area 6: Sum < 3. 1 = 1 < 3.
  7. Area 7: All equal. 2 = 2: all cells have the same value.

Medium · 7 pieces

Medium board

4 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1All equal
A2Sum = 10
A3No rule
A1All equal
A2Sum = 10
A4Sum > 1
A5Sum = 8
A5Sum = 8
A6Sum = 8
A6Sum = 8
A7Sum = 4
A7Sum = 4
A8All equal
A8All equal
Area 1: All equalArea 2: Sum = 10Area 3: No ruleArea 4: Sum > 1Area 5: Sum = 8Area 6: Sum = 8Area 7: Sum = 4Area 8: All equal

Available dominoes: Piece 1: 2-1; Piece 2: 6-3; Piece 3: 5-2; Piece 4: 6-1; Piece 5: 2-4; Piece 6: 1-5; Piece 7: 3-4.

Where to look

Area 4 has 1 cell: Sum > 1. Look at row 2, column 5.

A local clue for Area 2

The two cells in Area 2 must total 10. Using values from 0 to 6, the possible pairs are 4 + 6; 5 + 5.

Other areas and the available dominoes may rule out some of these pairs.

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 3 (5 | 2), horizontal: row 2, column 4 has 5, paired with row 2, column 5 containing 2.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Medium board

4 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A11All equal
A25Sum = 10
A33No rule
A11All equal
A25Sum = 10
A42Sum > 1
A52Sum = 8
A56Sum = 8
A66Sum = 8
A62Sum = 8
A71Sum = 4
A73Sum = 4
A84All equal
A84All equal
Area 1: All equalArea 2: Sum = 10Area 3: No ruleArea 4: Sum > 1Area 5: Sum = 8Area 6: Sum = 8Area 7: Sum = 4Area 8: All equal

Each outlined pair is one piece. Piece numbers identify the same domino in the list below, including when two pieces have the same values.

  1. Piece 1 (2 | 1): vertical; row 3, column 1 = 2, paired with row 4, column 1 = 1.
  2. Piece 2 (6 | 3): vertical; row 3, column 2 = 6, paired with row 2, column 2 = 3.
  3. Piece 3 (5 | 2): horizontal; row 2, column 4 = 5, paired with row 2, column 5 = 2.
  4. Piece 4 (6 | 1): vertical; row 3, column 3 = 6, paired with row 2, column 3 = 1.
  5. Piece 5 (2 | 4): vertical; row 3, column 4 = 2, paired with row 4, column 4 = 4.
  6. Piece 6 (1 | 5): horizontal; row 1, column 3 = 1, paired with row 1, column 4 = 5.
  7. Piece 7 (3 | 4): horizontal; row 4, column 2 = 3, paired with row 4, column 3 = 4.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: All equal. 1 = 1: all cells have the same value.
  2. Area 2: Sum = 10. 5 + 5 = 10; target 10.
  3. Area 3: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  4. Area 4: Sum > 1. 2 = 2 > 1.
  5. Area 5: Sum = 8. 2 + 6 = 8; target 8.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 8. 6 + 2 = 8; target 8.
  7. Area 7: Sum = 4. 1 + 3 = 4; target 4.
  8. Area 8: All equal. 4 = 4: all cells have the same value.

Hard · 14 pieces

Hard board

10 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum = 6
A2Sum = 3
A3Sum = 3
A4Sum = 1
A1Sum = 6
A5Sum = 3
A6Sum = 9
A7Sum = 5
A1Sum = 6
A5Sum = 3
A6Sum = 9
A7Sum = 5
A8All equal
A8All equal
A8All equal
A8All equal
A8All equal
A8All equal
A8All equal
A8All equal
A9Sum < 3
A10Sum > 3
A11All different
A11All different
A11All different
A11All different
A11All different
A11All different
Area 1: Sum = 6Area 2: Sum = 3Area 3: Sum = 3Area 4: Sum = 1Area 5: Sum = 3Area 6: Sum = 9Area 7: Sum = 5Area 8: All equalArea 9: Sum < 3Area 10: Sum > 3Area 11: All different

Available dominoes: Piece 1: 5-0; Piece 2: 3-1; Piece 3: 6-0; Piece 4: 3-3; Piece 5: 0-0; Piece 6: 1-1; Piece 7: 4-0; Piece 8: 2-2; Piece 9: 5-1; Piece 10: 0-3; Piece 11: 2-6; Piece 12: 0-1; Piece 13: 3-4; Piece 14: 2-0.

Where to look

Area 2 has 1 cell: Sum = 3. Look at row 1, column 2.

A local clue for Area 5

The two cells in Area 5 must total 3. Using values from 0 to 6, the possible pairs are 0 + 3; 1 + 2.

Other areas and the available dominoes may rule out some of these pairs.

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 2 (3 | 1), horizontal: row 1, column 2 has 3, paired with row 1, column 1 containing 1.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Hard board

10 × 6

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A11Sum = 6
A23Sum = 3
A33Sum = 3
A41Sum = 1
A12Sum = 6
A52Sum = 3
A63Sum = 9
A71Sum = 5
A13Sum = 6
A51Sum = 3
A66Sum = 9
A74Sum = 5
A80All equal
A80All equal
A80All equal
A80All equal
A80All equal
A80All equal
A80All equal
A80All equal
A92Sum < 3
A105Sum > 3
A116All different
A113All different
A112All different
A115All different
A114All different
A111All different
Area 1: Sum = 6Area 2: Sum = 3Area 3: Sum = 3Area 4: Sum = 1Area 5: Sum = 3Area 6: Sum = 9Area 7: Sum = 5Area 8: All equalArea 9: Sum < 3Area 10: Sum > 3Area 11: All different

Each outlined pair is one piece. Piece numbers identify the same domino in the list below, including when two pieces have the same values.

  1. Piece 1 (5 | 0): vertical; row 6, column 4 = 5, paired with row 5, column 4 = 0.
  2. Piece 2 (3 | 1): horizontal; row 1, column 2 = 3, paired with row 1, column 1 = 1.
  3. Piece 3 (6 | 0): vertical; row 3, column 5 = 6, paired with row 4, column 5 = 0.
  4. Piece 4 (3 | 3): vertical; row 1, column 5 = 3, paired with row 2, column 5 = 3.
  5. Piece 5 (0 | 0): horizontal; row 4, column 3 = 0, paired with row 4, column 4 = 0.
  6. Piece 6 (1 | 1): vertical; row 1, column 6 = 1, paired with row 2, column 6 = 1.
  7. Piece 7 (4 | 0): vertical; row 3, column 6 = 4, paired with row 4, column 6 = 0.
  8. Piece 8 (2 | 2): horizontal; row 2, column 1 = 2, paired with row 2, column 2 = 2.
  9. Piece 9 (5 | 1): vertical; row 9, column 4 = 5, paired with row 10, column 4 = 1.
  10. Piece 10 (0 | 3): vertical; row 4, column 1 = 0, paired with row 3, column 1 = 3.
  11. Piece 11 (2 | 6): vertical; row 9, column 3 = 2, paired with row 8, column 3 = 6.
  12. Piece 12 (0 | 1): vertical; row 4, column 2 = 0, paired with row 3, column 2 = 1.
  13. Piece 13 (3 | 4): vertical; row 8, column 5 = 3, paired with row 9, column 5 = 4.
  14. Piece 14 (2 | 0): vertical; row 6, column 3 = 2, paired with row 5, column 3 = 0.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum = 6. 1 + 2 + 3 = 6; target 6.
  2. Area 2: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  3. Area 3: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  4. Area 4: Sum = 1. 1 = 1; target 1.
  5. Area 5: Sum = 3. 2 + 1 = 3; target 3.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 9. 3 + 6 = 9; target 9.
  7. Area 7: Sum = 5. 1 + 4 = 5; target 5.
  8. Area 8: All equal. 0 = 0 = 0 = 0 = 0 = 0 = 0 = 0: all cells have the same value.
  9. Area 9: Sum < 3. 2 = 2 < 3.
  10. Area 10: Sum > 3. 5 = 5 > 3.
  11. Area 11: All different. 6, 3, 2, 5, 4, 1: every value is different.

Want the solver-focused view? Open the Pips solver for a completed board view.

Want a completed board view? Open the Pips solver with this date loaded. Need another day? Browse the Pips archive.

More Pips routes

Move between today’s hints, the archive, the hub, and the solver view.

Today’s hintsReveal Pips structure hints, domino sets, and answers step by step.Pips archiveBrowse past Pips puzzles by date.Pips solverOpen a completed board for today’s Pips puzzle.