Your complete game guide

How to Play Tangram

Arrange the seven classic tans to perfectly fill the target shape - a timeless dissection puzzle! Learn the objective, get comfortable with the main controls and follow the steps below at your own pace. Drag each colored tan onto the shaded silhouette. Read the practical tips before your next round, and return to the game page whenever you want a quick refresher.

Difficulty: Medium
Category: Puzzle
Age: Everyone
Tangram
Tangram3D game
The short version

Your first round of Tangram.

Back to the game
01 / THE FIRST MOVE

Start here

Drag each colored tan onto the shaded silhouette.

02 / A USEFUL TIP

Keep this in mind

Start with the two large triangles — they fill the most space

03 / FIND YOUR FEEL

Settle into the rhythm

Read the current board before making your next move. Look for changes that open space or make the remaining choices clearer.

What is Tangram?

Tangram is a 3D puzzle game in Playtua. Arrange the seven classic tans to perfectly fill the target shape - a timeless dissection puzzle! Drag each colored tan onto the shaded silhouette. Tap a piece to rotate it by 45 degrees. Match a piece to its outline to lock it in place.

Tangram is a shape-fitting puzzle using the seven classic tans. Drag each piece towards the silhouette, rotate it in 45-degree steps and find the arrangement that fills the target. Matching a piece to its outline locks it into place, gradually reducing the unfinished area. The 3D pieces give the puzzle a tangible feel, while the challenge comes from seeing how triangles and the other shapes can combine into one complete figure. Begin with a distinctive corner or a large area whose shape you can recognise. Rotating a piece before moving it into a crowded part of the silhouette can make the fit easier to judge. If two pieces appear interchangeable, consider what each choice would leave for the remaining shapes. The target is one connected arrangement, so an attractive local fit is only useful when the rest can still be completed. A careful reading of the outline can save more time than repeatedly trying every piece in the same gap.

Step-by-Step Guide to Play Tangram

  1. 1

    Drag each colored tan onto the shaded silhouette.

  2. 2

    Tap a piece to rotate it by 45 degrees.

  3. 3

    Match a piece to its outline to lock it in place.

  4. 4

    Fill the whole silhouette to solve the puzzle.

  5. 5

    Beat the clock and earn bonus points for time left.

Tangram Features

3D graphics
Tap a piece to rotate it by 45 degrees.
Match a piece to its outline to lock it in place.
Fill the whole silhouette to solve the puzzle.

Pro Tips & Winning Strategies

Start with the two large triangles — they fill the most space

Look at the silhouette outline to identify which piece fits each section

The parallelogram and square are often the trickiest — save them for later

Use the faint outlines as guides for where each piece belongs

Rotate pieces before dragging to save time

If stuck, try removing placed pieces and approaching from a different angle

Practice recognizing common tangram patterns to solve faster

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the step-by-step rules of Tangram?
Step 1: Drag each colored tan onto the shaded silhouette. Step 2: Tap a piece to rotate it by 45 degrees. Step 3: Match a piece to its outline to lock it in place. Step 4: Fill the whole silhouette to solve the puzzle. Step 5: Beat the clock and earn bonus points for time left.
What strategies help win at Tangram?
Start with the two large triangles — they fill the most space Look at the silhouette outline to identify which piece fits each section The parallelogram and square are often the trickiest — save them for later Use the faint outlines as guides for where each piece belongs Rotate pieces before dragging to save time If stuck, try removing placed pieces and approaching from a different angle Practice recognizing common tangram patterns to solve faster
How long does a typical Tangram session take?
A typical Tangram session lasts 2-10 minutes, though you can play for as long as you like. The game can be paused and resumed at any time.
Is Tangram suitable for beginners?
Tangram is easy to learn but offers depth for experienced players. Beginners will pick up the basics quickly.
What other games can I try after Tangram?
Playing Tangram helps improve focus, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills.

More Game Guides

Explore More

Ready to Play Tangram?

Download Playtua now — Tangram plus 50+ other amazing games, completely free!

Download Playtua Free
Browse the collection

Choose your next kind of play.

Tangram is one part of the Playtua collection. Explore other game styles alongside its dedicated rules and controls. The collection brings different styles together, so a change of pace is always close by. Explore a category to compare its games, then open an individual game page for the rules, controls and difficulty.