matchstick puzzle logo matchstick PUZZLE OF THE DAY

Squares' Overlap

Move 2 matchsticks to get 3 squares out of these overlapped ones. ____________ *by Serhiy Grabarchuk Jr

MORE MATCHSTICK PUZZLES...

SEP
19
#378

Squares' Overlap

Move 2 matchsticks to get 3 squares out of these overlapped ones. ____________ *by Serhiy Grabarchuk Jr

AUG
25
#353

Rhombuses Getrid

There are 5 rhombuses here. Move 3 matchsticks within the shape, end-to-end, to get rid of all the rhombuses. ____________ *by Serhiy Grabarchuk Jr

JUL
06
#303

The Right Triangles

This shape contains 4 right triangles in it. Can you identify them all? Move 1 matchstick to obtain 6 right triangles. ____________ *by Serhiy Grabarchuk Jr

JUL
02
#299

3 Squares Around Triangle

Move 3 matchsticks to get 3 identical triangles and 2 identical squares instead of the current 1 and 3 respectively. ____________ *by Serhiy Grabarchuk

JUL
01
#298

8 Plus 9 Is Not 4

Without touching the plus sign, remove 3 matchsticks to make the equation correct.

JUN
23
#290

8 Plus 2 Is Not 6

It is easy to remove 1 matchstick to make the equation correct - changing plus to minus. But can you remove 3 matchsticks to make the equation correct?

JUN
22
#289

9 Plus 1 Is Not 12

Move 1 matchstick to make the equation correct.

JUN
21
#288

A Couple of Wine Glasses

Two wine glasses can be seen here. More 3 matchsticks to obtain three wine glasses, all identical in shape to the original ones. ____________ *by Serhiy Grabarchuk Jr

JUN
20
#287

1 Plus 4 Is Not 9

Move 2 matchstikcs to make the equation correct.

JUN
19
#286

3 Plus 8 Is Not 0

Remove 2 matchsticks to make the equation correct.

JUN
18
#285

5 Plus 7 Is Not 7

Move 1 matchstick to make the equation correct.

JUN
17
#284

A Jar

Using 2 bottom matchsticks, divide the Jar into two parts of the same area and shape. ____________ *by Serhiy Grabarchuk Jr

JUN
16
#283

5 Plus 8 Is Not 46

Move 2 matchsticks to make the equation correct.

JUN
15
#282

2 Plus 2 Is Not 7

Move 2 matchsticks to make the equation correct.

JUN
14
#281

Remove 8, Leave 3 Sqaures

Remove 8 matchsticks to end up with 3 squares, though not the biggest one. No loose matchsticks should remain.

JUN
13
#280

The Cross

The cross consists of five squares. Move 4 matchsticks to end up with three squares only. ____________ *by Serhiy Grabarchuk Jr

JUN
12
#279

8 Times 2 Is Not 7

Move 2 matchsticks to make the equation correct.

JUN
11
#278

9 Plus 8 Is Not 5

Move 3 matchsticks to make the equation correct.

JUN
10
#277

7 Minus 7 Is Not 5

Move 2 matchsticks to make the equation correct.

JUN
09
#276

Two Arrows to Three

Two arrows point in opposite directions. Move 3 matchsticks to get 3 arrows pointing in different directions. ____________ *by Serhiy Grabarchuk Jr

JUN
08
#275

5 Plus 7 Is Not 2

Move 1 matchstick to make the equation correct.

JUN
07
#274

0 Plus 3 Is Not 2

Move 1 matchstick to make the equation correct.

JUN
06
#273

9 Plus 2 Is Not 5

Move 2 matchsticks to make the equation correct.

JUN
05
#272

L-Shaped 5 Squares to 4

Move 2 matchsticks to end up with 4 squares. No loose matchsticks. ____________ *by Serhiy Grabarchuk Jr

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Puzzles with matchsticks are very popular today among both children and adults. They help a person develop logical thinking and attentiveness. Matchstick logic problem can be very different. Basically, the tasks require you to create some kind of image, number or geometric figure.


Matchstick modeling develops thinking. The main highlight of such problems is that the answer is usually not obvious. Moreover, sometimes at first glance it seems that it is impossible to solve the puzzle at all. It takes at least a few minutes of thinking in your head or with a pencil. Obviously, such exercises are useful for “pumping up” logic and developing spatial thinking in a child.


Matchstick riddles influence the imagination. By imagining what would happen if we move this or that matchstick, we develop the “imagination center” inside our brain. Matchstick puzzles improve short-term memory. This is especially true for those who solve such problems in their head, remembering intermediate results. Spending time solving puzzles encourages attentiveness and perseverance. Last but not least - concentration plays a key part as well.


Challenging yourself to solve a matchstick puzzle in the shortest timespan boosts your self-esteem. And then, challenging yourself to solve a really difficult problem, we feel more confident and stop giving in to difficulties ahead.


Our constantly expanding collection of interactive matchstick puzzles comes in different difficulty levels, making them suitable for both adults and children. You can return to your favorite puzzles many times and share them with friends and dear ones.


How to solve matchstick puzzles? It is clear that in each specific case the approach differs, but there are still general recommendations. The hint is often contained in the problem’s objective itself, so you need to read it very carefully. Analyze whether there is a “double bottom” or a catch in it. Prepare for the fact that the solution is not trivial - otherwise the task would not be called a puzzle. Often you need to move 1 matchstick to get one or another figure or a certain number of figures. Don't forget: several small shapes (for example, squares) can make up a large one. Take your time. Don't focus on getting through the exercise quickly. Consider your options carefully.


As a pleasant bonus, we would like to draw your attention to 7 interesting facts about matchstick production:

- a match that ends up in sea water will decompose within six months;

- the best material for making matches is aspen;

- the first matchboxes were made of metal;

- there are more than 100 types of matches in the world;

- about 30 billion matchboxes are produced annually on the planet;

- on average there are approximately 40 matches in a box. In the 19th century, the number reached 60 pieces;

- it turns out that an ordinary match can save a person from death if he is bitten by a poisonous karakurt spider. To do this, the bite site must be cauterized as quickly as possible, as a result of which the poison will disintegrate and will not pose any threat to the human.