The tents puzzle, free and unlimited
Tents is a friendly logic puzzle about a campsite: every tree needs its own tent right next to it, tents can’t touch each other, and the numbers on the edges tell you how many tents each row and column holds. It is quick to learn and satisfying on larger boards.
Play unlimited tents puzzles free online in any size, from a quick warm-up to a full campsite.
What is the tents puzzle?
The tents puzzle, also called Tents and Trees, is a popular puzzle in newspapers and puzzle magazines. The grid shows trees, and your job is to pitch one tent next to each tree. The numbers on the side tell you how many tents go in each row and column.
How to play here
With a mouse, left-click a square to place a tent and right-click to mark it as grass, meaning no tent can go there. On a phone, tap to place tents and switch on Mark mode (the flag button next to Undo) to mark grass. You can also drag to mark several squares at once.
The rules
- Each tree has exactly one tent attached to it, directly above, below, left or right.
- Tents never touch each other, not even diagonally.
- The number of tents in each row and column matches the number at its edge.
A step-by-step way to solve
- Fill the zeros first. Every square in a row or column marked 0 is grass.
- Cross out squares far from trees. A square not next to any tree can never hold a tent.
- Use the no-touch rule. Every time you place a tent, mark all eight squares around it as grass.
- Look for trees with one free side. If only one neighbor of a tree is still open, the tent goes there.
- Count rows and columns. When a row already has its tents, the rest of it is grass. When the open squares exactly match the number needed, they are all tents.
Why play Tents?
Tents is a relaxed, friendly puzzle with a clear picture of progress: the campsite fills up tent by tent. It is a great introduction to logic puzzles for all ages. If you enjoy it, try Akari and Star Battle.
How to play Tents
- Every tree has exactly one tent directly next to it (above, below, left or right), and every tent belongs to one tree.
- Tents never touch each other, not even diagonally.
- The numbers outside the grid show how many tents are in each row and column.
- Mark cells that can't hold a tent to keep the board readable.
Tents tips
Fill the zeros first
A row or column with a 0 has no tents at all. Mark every cell in it as grass, and the trees next to it lose some of their options at once.
Cross out cells far from trees
A tent must touch a tree side-on, so any cell with no tree above, below, left or right can never be a tent.
Use the no-touch rule after every tent
When you place a tent, mark all eight cells around it as grass. That often leaves a nearby tree with only one possible spot.
Frequently asked questions
What is the tents puzzle also called?
It's also known as Trees and Tents, or Tents and Trees. The rules are the same everywhere.
Can a tent sit next to two trees?
It can touch two trees, but it is paired with only one of them. The number of tents always equals the number of trees.
Is there always one solution?
Yes. Every board here has one solution you can find by logic, without guessing.
