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How the Puzzle Ladder works

The Puzzle Ladder is 30 levels, from Novice III to Grandmaster (GM) I. The level follows your puzzle rating. A clean first-try solve raises the rating in proportion to how unlikely it was. A miss lowers it. Hints do not change the rating. The clock does not change the rating.

Four of five puzzles sit near your rating. One of five is a step harder. A puzzle easier than that window does not move the rating. The first attempt is the one that counts. A retry does not score. After a miss, the level can drop one division. It does not drop the whole climb.

The XP number under the crest is a separate bar. Hints and the clock change that bar only. It stops at zero, and that does not hold your level in place.

Your first eight puzzles are a calibration. New, Casual, Club, Strong, and Expert only choose which of those eight comes first. After the eighth, the rating and the level are set from the results.

Tiers

Every tier has three divisions: III, II and I, with III the lowest.

  1. Novice Levels 1–3 · ~400–552
  2. Bronze Levels 4–6 · ~628–779
  3. Silver Levels 7–9 · ~855–1007
  4. Gold Levels 10–12 · ~1083–1234
  5. Platinum Levels 13–15 · ~1310–1462
  6. Diamond Levels 16–18 · ~1538–1690
  7. Master Levels 19–21 · ~1766–1917
  8. Candidate Master (CM) Levels 22–24 · ~1993–2145
  9. International Master (IM) Levels 25–27 · ~2221–2372
  10. Grandmaster (GM) Levels 28–30 · ~2448–2600

Getting started

Before the first puzzle you can choose New, Casual, Club, Strong, or Expert. Guests keep the rating in this browser. Sign in and the rating, the attempt count, and the level copy onto the account when the account has fewer attempts.

Frequently asked questions

What does the puzzle rating measure?

It is an Elo-style rating for puzzles, from 400 to 2800. A clean first-try solve raises it in proportion to how unlikely that solve was. A miss lowers it. The 30 levels are a view of that number.

Do hints change the puzzle rating?

No. A solve with a hint scores the same as a miss for the rating. Hints only change the XP bar.

Can I drop a level?

Yes. A bad run can cost one division. It does not wipe the climb. The XP bar can sit at zero, and that does not freeze the level.

What happens to guest progress when I sign in?

Guest progress stays in this browser. On sign-in, the puzzle rating, the attempt count, and the level copy onto the account if the account has fewer attempts.