Rules & objective
Flood the whole board with one color within the move limit.
- Each selected color recolors the controlled region and absorbs edge-connected squares of that color. Diagonal contact alone does not connect regions.
- Selecting the current color does not spend a move. Choosing a different color spends one move, even if it does not expand your region.
- Cover the whole board within the displayed move limit. The limit is based on a verified solution route, with extra moves on Easy and Medium.
Key terms
- Controlled region
- All same-colored squares connected to the top-left square.
- Boundary
- The edge where your region touches uncontrolled squares.
- Bridge
- A small region that opens access to a larger region beyond it.
Difficulty levels
| Level | What changes |
|---|---|
| Easy | 6 × 6 board, four colors and six spare moves above a known solution. |
| Medium | 10 × 10 board, five colors and three spare moves. |
| Hard | 12 × 12 board, six colors. Match or beat a verified solution route. |
Changing difficulty starts a fresh round. Personal bests are tracked separately.
This version on puzzle free online
Easy uses four colors, Medium five and Hard six. Palette buttons include symbols as well as color. Hard has no spare moves above the verified route; that route is not claimed to be the shortest possible solution.
Common questions
Can I choose a different starting corner?
No. Expansion always begins in the top-left region.
Why did a matching square stay separate?
It must connect through edges to the controlled region, directly or through other matching squares. A diagonal touch is not enough.
Keep exploring
Put the rules into practice.
Use the companion guide for a worked example, strategy and a small practice challenge.
Read the Color Flood guide ↗Browse all wiki articles