Matchstick Puzzle Online
Wrong equations and figures made of matchsticks: drag or tap the right matches to fix the equation or form the squares you are asked for.
Move 1 match to make the equation correct.
Matches moved: 0 of 1
Drag a match or tap it, then tap a dashed slot.
How to play the matchstick puzzle
Each level shows a wrong equation or a matchstick figure and says how many matches you may move: 1, 2 or 3. You cannot take matches away or add new ones, only move them.
To move a match, drag it to its new place, or tap it and then tap one of the dashed slots that appear. Numbers follow the seven-segment digital clock format: 1 uses 2 matches, 7 uses 3, 4 uses 4, 2, 3 and 5 use 5, 0, 6 and 9 use 6, and 8 uses 7.
Once you have moved the requested number of matches, the game checks it right away: the equation must be correct (or the figure must have the requested number of squares, with no matches left over). Stuck? Use “Undo”, ask for a hint or view the solution.
Frequently asked questions
Can a puzzle have more than one answer?
In some levels, yes. The game accepts any arrangement that makes the equation true or forms the requested squares, as long as you move exactly the number of matches indicated.
Can the plus and equals signs change too?
Yes. If you take the upright match out of a “+”, it becomes a “−”, and the matches from the signs can also end up forming numbers. You just can’t leave a sign empty or a drawing that is not a number.
Does the matchstick puzzle help reasoning?
It trains attention, spatial vision and flexible thinking, because the answer is almost never where you look first. It is great for children and adults alike.