Matchstick PuzzlesWe are currently developing a updated version of this puzzle page allowing you to add your own matchstick puzzles.   Please try it here  and let us know what you think byposting comments in the forums.

Only a selection of the puzzles are shown here, there are more on the forum version and you can upload your own puzzles (and solutions if you have them.

There is also a printable version of the puzzles available to download for use at your club or party event

Turning the Donkey

Thanks to Caleb M. Rosenberg for this puzzle which he learned from a waiter named Bomin for the Philippines.  Move 1 matchstick to turn the donkey. Solution here.

2 squares to 3

Move 4 matches to make 3 squares - puzzle solution (puzzle supplied by Mike Daigneault, solution supplied by us, alternate solution supplied by David Tiffany)

10 to 2 squares

Move 3 matches to make 2 squares - puzzle solution (puzzle supplied by Tabitha King)

15 to 10

From this arrangement of 15 matches, remove 6 to leave 10  - puzzle solution (puzzle supplied by Bill Cramp)

Swimming Fish

Turn the fish around by moving only 3 matches, no overlapping.- puzzle solution

Then try and turn the fish by moving only 2 matches, no overlapping - puzzle solution

Remove a square (twice)

Move 2 matches to new positions to get only 4 squares, no overlapping or loose ends.- puzzle solution

Move 3 matches to new positions to get only 4 squares, no overlapping or loose ends.- puzzle solution

16 squares to none

Remove 9 matches so that no square (of any size) remains - puzzle solution

3 squares to 5

Move 6 matches so that 5 squares are formed - puzzle solution

Make 3 squares

Move 3 matches to get 3 perfect squares - puzzle solution

Divide by 2

Use the four matches to divide the large square into 2 parts of the same shape.  Use the matches without breaking or overlapping them - puzzle solution

3 Triangles to 4

Move 3 matches to make 4 equilateral triangles, no overlapping - puzzle solution

4 Squares to Many

Take this arrangement and with the following moves:-

Move 2 matches to make 7 squares - puzzle solution

Remove 2 matches and leave 2 squares - puzzle solution

Move 3 matches and leave 3 squares - puzzle solution

Remove 3 matches and move 2 to form 3 squares - puzzle solution

Move 4 matches and form 3 squares - puzzle solution

Remove 1 match and move 4 to make 11 squares - puzzle solution

3 to 6

Make these 3 matches into 6, no breaking into pieces - puzzle solution

A wheel to Triangles

Move 4 matches to form 3 equilateral triangles - puzzle solution

5 add 6 makes 9

Add 5 matches to these 6 matches and make 9 - puzzle solution

Ice in the Glass

(Easy) Move 3 matchsticks and reform the glass in the same shape so the ice is outside it - puzzle solution

(Harder) Move 2 matchsticks and reform the glass in the same shape so the ice is outside it - puzzle solution

7 to nothing

From these 7 matches, take 1 away and move 2 to leave nothing - puzzle solution

Square

Move one match to make a square - puzzle solution

4 Triangles

Use 6 matches to make 4 equilateral triangles (no broken matches) - puzzle solution

2 Triangles to 4

Move 1 match to make 4 triangles - puzzle solution

Try to rectify a mistake by moving a single matchstick, to get the correct equation.

The following equation is made of 11 matches: XI - V = IV (more solutions)

The following equation is made of 11 matches: X + V = IV (more solutions)

The following equation is made of 10 matches: L + L = L (more solutions)

The following equation is made of 12 matches: VI = IV - III (more solutions)

The following equation is made of 14 matches: XIV - V = XX

The following equation is made of 11 matches: IX - IX = V

The following equation is made of 12 matches: X = VIII - II

The following equation is made of 7 matches: VII = I

 

Move one matchstick to get 4 identical triangles.

 

Move one matchstick to get the correct equation.

 

SHOVEL

Move just two matches and remove dust from the shovel.

 

HOUSE

1. Move just two matches to make eleven squares.2. Move four matches and form 15 squares.

 

SCALES

Move 5 matches to make the scales balanced.

 

FISH

Move just 3 matches so that the fish swims the other direction.

 

RABBIT HUTCH

In the picture there are little flats for 6 rabbits. Can you build a dwelling for these 6 rabbits with only 12 matches? 6 separate flats are needed for the rabbits.

 

COW

This cow has the following parts: head, body, horns, legs and tail. It is looking to the left. Move two matches so that it is looking to the right.

 

KEY

1. Move four matches so that three squares are created.2. Move three matches so that two rectangles are created.3. Move two matches so that two rectangles are created.

 

TOUCH

Place six matches in such a way that each match is in touch with all the other five matches.