About 6×6 Masyu
A 6×6 Masyu grid has 36 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. 6×6 boards are recommended for complete beginners, kids learning logic, and anyone who wants a two-minute brain warm-up.
| Difficulty | Puzzles | Average pearls | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | 150 | 11 | 1–3 min |
| Medium | 150 | 8 | 2–5 min |
| Hard | 150 | 7 | 3–8 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 6×6 boards
- Start with black pearls on the outer ring: a black pearl on an edge row must send one line straight inward for two cells.
- A white pearl on the border can only run parallel to that border, so draw its line immediately.
- On small grids the loop usually touches all four sides — look for the corner cells it must turn through.
New to these patterns? Read our Masyu strategy guide with 14 illustrated techniques, or go back to basics with how to play Masyu.