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NYT Pips answers — Monday, February 23, 2026

Pips #190 · Edited by Ian Livengood · Easy by Ian Livengood · Medium by Rodolfo Kurchan · Hard by Rodolfo Kurchan

Stuck on today's New York Times Pips? Below are three progressive hints for each difficulty, then the full solution as a tap-to-reveal board. Hints first — the answer only when you want it.

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Easy Pips answer — February 23, 2026

4×4 board · 5 dominoes · 7 regions · by Ian Livengood

The easy board runs 4 rows by 4 columns: 5 dominoes to place across 7 regions. The mix is 5 sum regions, 1 "all equal", 1 free region. The single cell at row 2, column 1 is marked 6, so it can only hold a 6. After that, the single cell at row 3, column 1 is marked 6, so it can only hold a 6. Rack check: 1 double, 2 blank halves, 2 sixes.

Hints

Hint 1 — where to start

The single cell at row 2, column 1 is marked 6, so it can only hold a 6. Find the domino with a 6 that fits there.

Hint 2 — first domino

Place the 6–5 domino with its 6 at row 2, column 1 and its 5 at row 2, column 2.

Hint 3 — second domino

Next, the 6–4 goes at row 3, column 1 → row 4, column 1. From there the rest should fall into place.

Solution

Tap any cell to reveal its pips, or reveal the whole board. Region rules: 6 must add up to 6; = must all be the same number; 4 must add up to 4.

6
6
6
=
4
6
Solution as text
  1. 0–2 — 0 at row 4, column 3, 2 at row 4, column 2
  2. 1–1 — 1 at row 1, column 2, 1 at row 1, column 3
  3. 6–5 — 6 at row 2, column 1, 5 at row 2, column 2
  4. 4–0 — 4 at row 3, column 4, 0 at row 3, column 3
  5. 6–4 — 6 at row 3, column 1, 4 at row 4, column 1

Medium Pips answer — February 23, 2026

4×6 board · 6 dominoes · 8 regions · by Rodolfo Kurchan

The medium board runs 4 rows by 6 columns: 6 dominoes to place across 8 regions. The mix is 3 sum regions, 1 "greater than", 4 free regions. The pair at row 1, column 3 adds to 7; list the ways to make 7 with the rack you have.. After that, the pair at row 2, column 4 adds to 7; list the ways to make 7 with the rack you have.. Rack check: 1 double, 4 blank halves, 1 six.

Hints

Hint 1 — where to start

The pair at row 1, column 3 adds to 7; list the ways to make 7 with the rack you have.

Hint 2 — first domino

Place the 6–1 domino with its 6 at row 1, column 3 and its 1 at row 1, column 4.

Hint 3 — second domino

Next, the 0–2 goes at row 2, column 3 → row 2, column 4. From there the rest should fall into place.

Solution

Tap any cell to reveal its pips, or reveal the whole board. Region rules: 7 must add up to 7; >2 must add up to more than 2.

7
7
>2
7
Solution as text
  1. 2–3 — 2 at row 4, column 3, 3 at row 3, column 3
  2. 0–0 — 0 at row 4, column 1, 0 at row 4, column 2
  3. 5–4 — 5 at row 3, column 4, 4 at row 4, column 4
  4. 1–0 — 1 at row 4, column 5, 0 at row 4, column 6
  5. 6–1 — 6 at row 1, column 3, 1 at row 1, column 4
  6. 0–2 — 0 at row 2, column 3, 2 at row 2, column 4

Hard Pips answer — February 23, 2026

8×7 board · 14 dominoes · 16 regions · by Rodolfo Kurchan

The hard board runs 8 rows by 7 columns: 14 dominoes to place across 16 regions. The mix is 9 sum regions, 7 free regions. The single cell at row 6, column 3 is marked 4, so it can only hold a 4. After that, the two-cell region at row 6, column 4 adds to 12: both cells must be 6. Rack check: 5 doubles, 7 blank halves, 5 sixes.

Hints

Hint 1 — where to start

The single cell at row 6, column 3 is marked 4, so it can only hold a 4. Find the domino with a 4 that fits there.

Hint 2 — first domino

Place the 4–0 domino with its 4 at row 6, column 3 and its 0 at row 6, column 2.

Hint 3 — second domino

Next, the 0–6 goes at row 5, column 4 → row 6, column 4. From there the rest should fall into place.

Solution

Tap any cell to reveal its pips, or reveal the whole board. Region rules: 4 must add up to 4; 11 must add up to 11; 17 must add up to 17; 12 must add up to 12; 9 must add up to 9.

4
4
11
4
17
4
12
4
9
Solution as text
  1. 6–3 — 6 at row 7, column 4, 3 at row 8, column 4
  2. 4–0 — 4 at row 6, column 3, 0 at row 6, column 2
  3. 0–6 — 0 at row 5, column 4, 6 at row 6, column 4
  4. 1–2 — 1 at row 5, column 5, 2 at row 6, column 5
  5. 0–0 — 0 at row 8, column 2, 0 at row 8, column 3
  6. 3–3 — 3 at row 8, column 5, 3 at row 8, column 6
  7. 2–5 — 2 at row 6, column 6, 5 at row 5, column 6
  8. 1–1 — 1 at row 3, column 4, 1 at row 4, column 4
  9. 0–2 — 0 at row 3, column 3, 2 at row 4, column 3
  10. 6–6 — 6 at row 4, column 6, 6 at row 4, column 7
  11. 2–2 — 2 at row 1, column 4, 2 at row 2, column 4
  12. 5–0 — 5 at row 4, column 2, 0 at row 4, column 1
  13. 2–6 — 2 at row 5, column 3, 6 at row 5, column 2
  14. 0–1 — 0 at row 3, column 5, 1 at row 4, column 5

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Pips is a game by The New York Times. This page is an independent solving guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by The New York Times Company. Puzzle layouts are described here for the purpose of commentary and help.