Menu
XfireXfire
Full search page
Past puzzleSeptember 12, 2026Three levels

Pips hints: September 12, 2026

Revisit the Pips puzzle from September 12, 2026 (2026-09-12) with hints and answers for every level.

September 12, 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

3 × 4

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum < 4
A2Sum < 1
A3All different
A3All different
A4All equal
A4All equal
A3All different
A5Sum = 10
A5Sum = 10
A3All different
Area 1: Sum < 4Area 2: Sum < 1Area 3: All differentArea 4: All equalArea 5: Sum = 10

Available dominoes: Piece 1: 3-1; Piece 2: 6-6; Piece 3: 1-4; Piece 4: 4-2; Piece 5: 0-5.

Where to look

Area 1 has 1 cell: Sum < 4. Look at row 1, column 1.

A local clue for Area 5

The two cells in Area 5 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 1 (3 | 1), vertical: row 1, column 1 has 3, paired with row 2, column 1 containing 1.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Easy board

3 × 4

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A13Sum < 4
A20Sum < 1
A35All different
A34All different
A41All equal
A41All equal
A32All different
A54Sum = 10
A56Sum = 10
A36All different
Area 1: Sum < 4Area 2: Sum < 1Area 3: All differentArea 4: All equalArea 5: Sum = 10

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

Medium · 7 pieces

Medium board

4 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1All equal
A1All equal
A2Sum = 4
A2Sum = 4
A3All equal
A3All equal
A4All equal
A2Sum = 4
A4All equal
A4All equal
A5All equal
A6Sum = 3
A7Sum < 2
A5All equal
Area 1: All equalArea 2: Sum = 4Area 3: All equalArea 4: All equalArea 5: All equalArea 6: Sum = 3Area 7: Sum < 2

Available dominoes: Piece 1: 1-1; Piece 2: 0-2; Piece 3: 0-0; Piece 4: 6-3; Piece 5: 3-3; Piece 6: 3-0; Piece 7: 0-6.

Where to look

Area 6 has 1 cell: Sum = 3. Look at row 3, column 5.

Show one placement from the recorded answer

Piece 4 (6 | 3), horizontal: row 3, column 4 has 6, paired with row 3, column 5 containing 3.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Medium board

4 × 5

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A10All equal
A10All equal
A22Sum = 4
A21Sum = 4
A30All equal
A30All equal
A43All equal
A21Sum = 4
A43All equal
A43All equal
A56All equal
A63Sum = 3
A70Sum < 2
A56All equal
Area 1: All equalArea 2: Sum = 4Area 3: All equalArea 4: All equalArea 5: All equalArea 6: Sum = 3Area 7: Sum < 2

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 (1 | 1): vertical; row 1, column 4 = 1, paired with row 2, column 4 = 1.
  2. Piece 2 (0 | 2): horizontal; row 1, column 2 = 0, paired with row 1, column 3 = 2.
  3. Piece 3 (0 | 0): vertical; row 1, column 1 = 0, paired with row 2, column 1 = 0.
  4. Piece 4 (6 | 3): horizontal; row 3, column 4 = 6, paired with row 3, column 5 = 3.
  5. Piece 5 (3 | 3): horizontal; row 3, column 2 = 3, paired with row 3, column 3 = 3.
  6. Piece 6 (3 | 0): horizontal; row 2, column 3 = 3, paired with row 2, column 2 = 0.
  7. Piece 7 (0 | 6): horizontal; row 4, column 3 = 0, paired with row 4, column 4 = 6.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: All equal. 0 = 0: all cells have the same value.
  2. Area 2: Sum = 4. 2 + 1 + 1 = 4; target 4.
  3. Area 3: All equal. 0 = 0: all cells have the same value.
  4. Area 4: All equal. 3 = 3 = 3: all cells have the same value.
  5. Area 5: All equal. 6 = 6: all cells have the same value.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 3. 3 = 3; target 3.
  7. Area 7: Sum < 2. 0 = 0 < 2.

Hard · 16 pieces

Hard board

10 × 9

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A1Sum > 3
A2Sum > 4
A3Sum = 4
A4All equal
A4All equal
A5No rule
A4All equal
A4All equal
A4All equal
A6Sum = 6
A6Sum = 6
A7All equal
A7All equal
A8Sum > 1
A9Sum < 4
A10Sum > 4
A11Sum < 2
A12Sum = 2
A13Sum > 3
A14All equal
A15Sum > 9
A15Sum > 9
A16Sum = 12
A17Sum = 15
A14All equal
A16Sum = 12
A17Sum = 15
A18Sum > 4
A19Sum > 10
A19Sum > 10
A16Sum = 12
A17Sum = 15
Area 1: Sum > 3Area 2: Sum > 4Area 3: Sum = 4Area 4: All equalArea 5: No ruleArea 6: Sum = 6Area 7: All equalArea 8: Sum > 1Area 9: Sum < 4Area 10: Sum > 4Area 11: Sum < 2Area 12: Sum = 2Area 13: Sum > 3Area 14: All equalArea 15: Sum > 9Area 16: Sum = 12Area 17: Sum = 15Area 18: Sum > 4Area 19: Sum > 10

Available dominoes: Piece 1: 0-4; Piece 2: 5-6; Piece 3: 3-3; Piece 4: 1-6; Piece 5: 0-3; Piece 6: 1-1; Piece 7: 4-3; Piece 8: 2-5; Piece 9: 3-6; Piece 10: 4-1; Piece 11: 3-2; Piece 12: 6-4; Piece 13: 1-3; Piece 14: 6-6; Piece 15: 2-4; Piece 16: 3-5.

Where to look

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

A local clue for Area 6

The two cells in Area 6 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 10 (4 | 1), vertical: row 1, column 1 has 4, paired with row 2, column 1 containing 1.

Show the complete solution and piece list

Hard board

10 × 9

Scroll sideways if you cannot see every column.

A14Sum > 3
A26Sum > 4
A34Sum = 4
A41All equal
A41All equal
A50No rule
A41All equal
A41All equal
A41All equal
A62Sum = 6
A64Sum = 6
A73All equal
A73All equal
A83Sum > 1
A92Sum < 4
A105Sum > 4
A110Sum < 2
A122Sum = 2
A134Sum > 3
A143All equal
A156Sum > 9
A154Sum > 9
A163Sum = 12
A173Sum = 15
A143All equal
A163Sum = 12
A176Sum = 15
A185Sum > 4
A195Sum > 10
A196Sum > 10
A166Sum = 12
A176Sum = 15
Area 1: Sum > 3Area 2: Sum > 4Area 3: Sum = 4Area 4: All equalArea 5: No ruleArea 6: Sum = 6Area 7: All equalArea 8: Sum > 1Area 9: Sum < 4Area 10: Sum > 4Area 11: Sum < 2Area 12: Sum = 2Area 13: Sum > 3Area 14: All equalArea 15: Sum > 9Area 16: Sum = 12Area 17: Sum = 15Area 18: Sum > 4Area 19: Sum > 10

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 (0 | 4): vertical; row 2, column 7 = 0, paired with row 1, column 7 = 4.
  2. Piece 2 (5 | 6): horizontal; row 10, column 4 = 5, paired with row 10, column 5 = 6.
  3. Piece 3 (3 | 3): horizontal; row 3, column 8 = 3, paired with row 3, column 9 = 3.
  4. Piece 4 (1 | 6): vertical; row 2, column 3 = 1, paired with row 1, column 3 = 6.
  5. Piece 5 (0 | 3): vertical; row 7, column 7 = 0, paired with row 8, column 7 = 3.
  6. Piece 6 (1 | 1): horizontal; row 3, column 1 = 1, paired with row 3, column 2 = 1.
  7. Piece 7 (4 | 3): horizontal; row 8, column 1 = 4, paired with row 8, column 2 = 3.
  8. Piece 8 (2 | 5): vertical; row 4, column 7 = 2, paired with row 5, column 7 = 5.
  9. Piece 9 (3 | 6): vertical; row 9, column 7 = 3, paired with row 10, column 7 = 6.
  10. Piece 10 (4 | 1): vertical; row 1, column 1 = 4, paired with row 2, column 1 = 1.
  11. Piece 11 (3 | 2): vertical; row 8, column 9 = 3, paired with row 7, column 9 = 2.
  12. Piece 12 (6 | 4): horizontal; row 8, column 4 = 6, paired with row 8, column 5 = 4.
  13. Piece 13 (1 | 3): vertical; row 3, column 3 = 1, paired with row 4, column 3 = 3.
  14. Piece 14 (6 | 6): vertical; row 9, column 9 = 6, paired with row 10, column 9 = 6.
  15. Piece 15 (2 | 4): horizontal; row 3, column 5 = 2, paired with row 3, column 6 = 4.
  16. Piece 16 (3 | 5): vertical; row 9, column 2 = 3, paired with row 10, column 2 = 5.
Why these area rules are satisfied
  1. Area 1: Sum > 3. 4 = 4 > 3.
  2. Area 2: Sum > 4. 6 = 6 > 4.
  3. Area 3: Sum = 4. 4 = 4; target 4.
  4. Area 4: All equal. 1 = 1 = 1 = 1 = 1: all cells have the same value.
  5. Area 5: No rule. This area has no additional rule.
  6. Area 6: Sum = 6. 2 + 4 = 6; target 6.
  7. Area 7: All equal. 3 = 3: all cells have the same value.
  8. Area 8: Sum > 1. 3 = 3 > 1.
  9. Area 9: Sum < 4. 2 = 2 < 4.
  10. Area 10: Sum > 4. 5 = 5 > 4.
  11. Area 11: Sum < 2. 0 = 0 < 2.
  12. Area 12: Sum = 2. 2 = 2; target 2.
  13. Area 13: Sum > 3. 4 = 4 > 3.
  14. Area 14: All equal. 3 = 3: all cells have the same value.
  15. Area 15: Sum > 9. 6 + 4 = 10 > 9.
  16. Area 16: Sum = 12. 3 + 3 + 6 = 12; target 12.
  17. Area 17: Sum = 15. 3 + 6 + 6 = 15; target 15.
  18. Area 18: Sum > 4. 5 = 5 > 4.
  19. Area 19: Sum > 10. 5 + 6 = 11 > 10.

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.