About 12×12 Masyu
A 12×12 Masyu grid has 144 cells. Your goal is the same at every size: draw a single closed loop through the centres of cells so that it passes through every pearl. Black pearls are corners with straight legs; white pearls are straight segments with a turn next to them. 12×12 boards are recommended for intermediate solvers stepping up from 10×10 who want more room for long-range logic.
| Difficulty | Puzzles | Average pearls | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | 100 | 55 | 8–15 min |
| Medium | 100 | 43 | 12–22 min |
| Hard | 100 | 33 | 18–35 min |
Fewer pearls usually means a harder puzzle: there are fewer starting points, and more of the loop has to be deduced from global rules. Times are a rough guide for an experienced solver.
Tips for 12×12 boards
- Work outward from dense pearl clusters; empty areas resolve last.
- Black pearls two cells from the border can’t point toward it — the leg wouldn’t fit.
- Revisit every white pearl after each new line; one new turn often satisfies (or forbids) its neighbour turn.
New to these patterns? Read our Masyu strategy guide with 14 illustrated techniques, or go back to basics with how to play Masyu.