Tangram is the ancient Chinese dissection puzzle that has delighted minds for centuries. Seven simple geometric pieces — called tans — can be arranged to form hundreds of different shapes, from animals and people to letters and abstract designs. Play Tangram online free and challenge yourself with our collection of silhouette puzzles. Drag and rotate the seven pieces to fill each target shape exactly. Every piece must be used, pieces cannot overlap, and together they must perfectly fill the silhouette. The beauty of Tangram lies in its simplicity: just seven pieces, yet the variety of shapes they can form is almost limitless. It's a wonderful exercise in spatial reasoning, creativity, and patience — perfect for puzzle lovers of all ages.
How to Play Tangram
Each puzzle shows a target silhouette in gray. Your seven tangram pieces (2 large triangles, 1 medium triangle, 2 small triangles, 1 square, and 1 parallelogram) start scattered to the side.
Drag pieces to move them into position. Click or tap a piece to rotate it 45 degrees. For the parallelogram, double-click or double-tap to flip it — it's the only piece that can be mirrored.
All seven pieces must fit perfectly within the silhouette with no gaps and no overlaps. Pieces snap to a grid to help with alignment. When all pieces are correctly placed, the puzzle is solved and you can advance to the next shape!
Tangram Tips & Strategies
- Start with the largest pieces — the two big triangles take up the most space and constrain the solution.
- Identify corners and points in the silhouette — large triangles and the medium triangle create these angles.
- The parallelogram can be flipped — if a piece seems impossible to fit, try flipping it.
- The square and small triangles often fill gaps left by the larger pieces.
- Rotate pieces in 45-degree increments — tangram solutions use these angles exclusively.
- If stuck, try removing all pieces and starting over with a different approach for the large triangles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the seven tangram pieces?
A tangram set has exactly 7 pieces: 2 large right triangles, 1 medium right triangle, 2 small right triangles, 1 square, and 1 parallelogram. Together they form a square, and can be rearranged into hundreds of other shapes.
Can pieces overlap in Tangram?
No. Every piece must lie flat within the silhouette, no pieces can overlap, and every piece must be used. The challenge is finding the exact arrangement where all seven fit perfectly.
How old is the Tangram puzzle?
Tangram originated in China and dates back at least to the 18th century, with some historians suggesting it may be much older. It became a worldwide craze in the early 19th century and remains popular today.
