matchstick puzzle logoMORE MATCHSTICK PUZZLES...

FEB
04
#151

Planning a Garden

The big square is a fenced garden. The small square is a house. With 10 matchsticks divide the garden into 5 sectors identical in size and shape.

FEB
03
#150

Chained Squares

Two squares and one triangle can be spotted in this composition. Move 3 matchsticks so that 2 squares and 8 triangles would appear. Overlapping is allowed.

FEB
02
#149

Ratio in Triangle: 2:3:4

With 2 horizontal lines this triangle is split into three shapes in the ratio 1:3:5. Move only 1 matchstick to get the ratio of inner shapes as 2:3:4.

FEB
01
#148

Tilting the Jug: V2

Suppose this jug is filled up with water. Move 4 matchsticks to start pouring out its content. The shape of the jug must be preserved. ____________ *by Serhiy Grabarchuk Jr

JAN
31
#147

Divide the L-Shape

Use 8 matchsticks outside of the L-shaped figure to divide the figure into 4 congruent parts (identical in size and area).

JAN
30
#146

The House

Move 2 matchsticks to change the facing direction of the house.

JAN
29
#145

Two Antennas to 14 Squares

There are 2 squares in this composition. Move 6 matchsticks to get 14 squares.

JAN
28
#144

Crossed Arrows

Two arrows feature 2 triangles. Move 2 matchsticks to create 3 squares in addition to them. Overlapping is allowed. ____________ *by Serhiy Grabarchuk Jr

JAN
27
#143

Cross And Square

Move 2 matchsticks to get 7 squares out of these 5 ones.

JAN
26
#142

Leave 3 Squares

Leave just three squares by removing 3 matchsticks. No loose matchsticks.

JAN
25
#141

Hexagram to 6 Triangles

In a regular hexagram 8 equilateral triangles can be spotted - 6 small and 2 big ones. Move 2 matchsticks to end up with 6 triangles only. No loose matchsticks.

JAN
24
#140

Doubling the Triangles

Move 2 matchsticks to double the number of the equilateral triangles here from 2 to 4. Overlapping is allowed. ____________ *by Serhiy Grabarchuk Jr

JAN
23
#139

Rhombus and Square

One rhombus and one square can be spotted here. Move 3 matchsticks so that 1 rhombus, 1 square and 2 equilateral triangles would appear. No loose matchsticks.

JAN
22
#138

The Matchstick Window

You can spot nine 1×1 squares, four 2×2 squares, and one 3×3 square here. Remove 6 matchsticks so that only three squares would remain.

JAN
21
#137

Window to Squares

Remove 1 matchstick to end up with 2 squares.

JAN
20
#136

Tilting the Jug

Suppose this jug is filled up with water. Move 4 matchsticks to start pouring out its content. The shape of the jug must be preserved. ____________ *by Serhiy Grabarchuk Jr

JAN
19
#135

Remove 5, Leave 3 Squares

Leave just three squares by removing 5 matchsticks.

JAN
18
#134

2 Triangles to 4

Six matchsticks are arranged into two equilateral triangles. Move 1 matchstick to double them.

JAN
17
#133

The Pig Puzzle

Move 2 matchsticks to make the pig look left.

JAN
16
#132

Remove 4, Leave 4 Triangles

Eight identical triangles can be seen in this rhombus. Remove 4 matchsticks so that only 4 identical triangles remain. No loose matchsticks.

JAN
15
#131

Different Triangles

Move 1 matchstick to change three equal trapezoids into three different equilateral triangles. ____________ *by Serhiy Grabarchuk

JAN
14
#130

2 Trapeziums to 3 Triangles

Move 2 matchsticks to form 3 equilateral triangles out of these two isosceles trapeziums.

JAN
13
#129

Flip the Chair

The chair fell over. Move 2 matchsticks to put it back upright.

JAN
12
#128

Lamp to 5 Triangles

Move 3 matchsticks to get 5 equilateral triangles from the lamp.

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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.