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Home Archive 2026-02-22

Pips Answer for Sunday, February 22, 2026

Complete NYT Pips puzzle solution with interactive board and expert analysis.

Today's Answer Back to Archive
Progress 0/5 dominoes
>9
0
9
>1
0

Click a domino or a cell to reveal the answer

Solution & Analysis

Complete answers and solving insights for 2026-02-22

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NYT Pips easy answer for 2026-02-22

NYT Pips easy answer for 2026-02-22

>9
0
9
>1
0

Complete answer for 2026-02-22 (Easy)

I started my morning by jumping into the Easy puzzle to get my brain moving. The first thing that caught my eye was that region at (1,0) which had a sum target of 0. That is basically a gift in Pips because it means the pip count there has to be zero.

Looking at my dominoes, the only one that fit was the [4,0] pair, which let me place that vertically at the top left. Then, I looked for the biggest numbers to satisfy that 'greater than 9' region at the top. I saw the [6,6] domino and knew it had to go nearby. The logic flowed pretty naturally from there once the corners were anchored.

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NYT Pips medium answer for 2026-02-22

NYT Pips medium answer for 2026-02-22

4
5
=
2
10
<3
18

Complete answer for 2026-02-22 (Medium)

For the Medium puzzle, things got a bit more interesting. I immediately looked for the 'sum 18' region involving (2,5), (2,6), and (3,5). Since the max pips on any side is 6, getting to 18 with three spots means they all have to be 6s.

This was a huge break because it forced the [6,6] domino into the (2,5) and (2,6) spots. From there, I used the 'equals' constraint at (1,0) and (1,1) to narrow down which dominoes could bridge that gap. The

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NYT Pips hard answer for 2026-02-22

NYT Pips hard answer for 2026-02-22

<2
=
1
=
4
11
9
12
9
4
1
1

Complete answer for 2026-02-22 (Hard)

Hard puzzle was a real test of patience today. I noticed several 'empty' regions like (1,3), (2,1), and (5,3). These are sneaky because even though they don't have a math rule, they act as roadblocks for where your dominoes can sit.

I focused on the 'sum 12' region at (5,4) and (5,5). Since 12 is the highest possible sum for two spots, I knew I needed two 6s. I matched that up with the dominoes [4,6] and [1,6], which helped me realize how the rest of the bottom section had to be packed in. The 'equals' constraints at the top left and top right were the final pieces of the puzzle, helping me decide between the [1,0] and [0,2] dominoes.

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What I Learned

Today really reinforced how important the 'empty' cells are. In the Hard puzzle, I almost ignored them at first, but they are actually the key to figuring out the layout. If a cell is empty, it just means you don't have a sum or greater-than rule, but it still has to be part of a domino!

I also noticed a cool pattern with the 'equals' regions. When you have two cells that must be equal, and they belong to different dominoes, it creates a chain reaction that usually solves that entire corner of the board. Another trick I picked up was looking for the extreme targets first—targets like 0 or 12 or 18. They have so few combinations that they usually give you the answer immediately, whereas a target like 'sum 5' could be almost anything.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I have multiple dominoes that could fit a sum region?
Don't guess! Look at the neighboring regions first. Usually, one of those dominoes will be needed elsewhere to satisfy a more restrictive rule, like a 'greater than' or an 'equals' constraint.
Do the 'empty' regions still need to be covered by a domino?
Yes, every single square on the board must be covered by exactly one half of a domino, even if that square doesn't have a specific math rule or target number.
How do I handle the 'greater than' targets when they are very high?
High targets are your best friend. If a target is 10 or 11, you know you're looking for dominoes with 5s and 6s. Check your remaining domino list for the highest values and see where they can physically fit.
Is it better to start from the edges or the middle?
I usually find that starting with the regions that have the most specific targets (like 0, 11, or 12) is best, regardless of where they are on the board. These 'anchors' make the rest of the board much easier to manage.

How to Use This Board

1

Select a Domino

Tap any domino from the tray below the board to select it

2

Place on Board

Tap a cell on the board where you think it belongs. If correct, both cells reveal!

3

Rotate if Needed

Tap a selected domino again to rotate it, or use the rotate button

4

Use Hints

Stuck? Use the Hint button to reveal one domino, or Solve All to see everything