How to Solve Jigsaw Puzzles Faster: 10 Expert Tips

Whether you're new to jigsaw puzzles or a seasoned solver looking to improve your time, these expert tips will help you complete puzzles faster and more efficiently.

1. Start with the Edge Pieces

The most fundamental strategy in jigsaw puzzling is to find and assemble all the edge pieces first. Edge pieces have at least one flat side, making them easy to identify. Building the border gives you a framework to fill in.

**Pro tip:** Sort edge pieces into a separate pile before you start. Most puzzlers find about 5-10% of pieces are edges.

2. Sort by Color and Pattern

Before diving in, take a few minutes to sort your pieces into groups by dominant color or pattern. This simple organizational step can cut your solving time dramatically.

Create separate piles for:

3. Work on Distinct Sections First

Look for areas of the puzzle with unique colors, patterns, or features. A red barn, a bright flower, or a person's face are much easier to assemble than a large section of blue sky.

Complete these distinctive sections first, then work on the more challenging uniform areas.

4. Use the Box Image as Reference

Keep the box image (or in our case, use the preview toggle!) visible while you work. Regularly referencing the complete image helps you identify where pieces belong and spot patterns you might otherwise miss.

5. Pay Attention to Piece Shape

Beyond just the image, the shape of each piece contains valuable information. Tabs (the protruding parts) and blanks (the indentations) must match between adjacent pieces. Over time, you'll develop an eye for which shapes go together.

6. Work from Multiple Angles

Don't just work in one direction. Build outward from completed sections in all directions. This gives you more connection points and increases the chances of finding matches.

7. Take Breaks

This might seem counterintuitive for speed, but taking short breaks actually helps. Your brain continues to process patterns subconsciously, and you'll often spot connections immediately after returning that you missed before.

8. Good Lighting Matters

Ensure you have bright, even lighting on your puzzle surface. Poor lighting makes it harder to distinguish subtle color differences and can significantly slow you down.

9. Use a Large, Flat Surface

Give yourself plenty of room to spread out your pieces. A cramped workspace forces you to stack or crowd pieces, making it harder to find what you need. A dedicated puzzle board or large table is ideal.

10. Practice Regularly

Like any skill, puzzle-solving improves with practice. The more puzzles you complete, the better you'll become at recognizing patterns, shapes, and color nuances. Try our daily puzzle challenge to build a consistent practice habit!

Ready to Put These Tips to Work?

Head to our daily puzzle page and see how fast you can solve today's challenge. Start with a lower piece count (24 or 48) and work your way up as your skills improve.