Matchstick Puzzle

Play Matchstick Puzzle free online. The equation is wrong — move exactly one matchstick to make it true.

The classic matchstick riddle. An equation is laid out in matchsticks, and it is not true. Pick up one stick and put it somewhere else so that the sum works. You can change a digit, turn a plus into a minus, or borrow a stick from one number to complete another. Every puzzle is generated and checked, and any correct move counts — not just the one we had in mind.

  • Category: Brain Games
  • Difficulty: hard
  • Players: 1 player
  • Typical game: about 5 minutes
  • Works on: desktop, phones and tablets

How to play Matchstick Puzzle

Objective: Fix five equations by moving one matchstick each time.

  1. Tap a matchstick to pick it up (it turns red).
  2. Dotted outlines show where it can go. Tap one to place the stick.
  3. If the new equation is true, the puzzle is solved. Otherwise try again; Reset puts everything back.
  4. Digits use seven-segment shapes, like a digital clock. The = sign cannot be changed.

Scoring

100 points for a first-try solve, 60 after one wrong try, 30 after more. Revealed answers score nothing.

Difficulty levels

Easy: single digits. Normal: numbers up to 20. Hard: two-digit numbers.

Tips

  • Count the sticks: 6 and 9 have six, and moving one stick turns 6 into 0 or 5.
  • A minus sign can become a plus with one extra stick, and vice versa.

Controls

Keyboard

  • Tab to a stick, Enter to pick it up; Tab to an empty slot, Enter to place

Mouse

  • Click a stick to pick it up, then click an empty slot

Touch

  • Tap a stick to pick it up, then tap an empty slot

Matchstick Puzzle achievements

  • Spark – Solve a matchstick puzzle.
  • Clean Burn – Solve all five first try in one round.
  • Arsonist of Arithmetic – Solve all five on Hard.
  • Box of Matches – Solve 50 puzzles in total.

Frequently asked questions

Is Matchstick Puzzle free to play?

Yes. Matchstick Puzzle is completely free on GamesPlayLand, with no download, no sign-up and no purchases.

How do you play Matchstick Puzzle?

Fix five equations by moving one matchstick each time. Tap a matchstick to pick it up (it turns red). Dotted outlines show where it can go. Tap one to place the stick.

Can I play Matchstick Puzzle on my phone?

Yes. Matchstick Puzzle works in mobile browsers on phones and tablets, with no app to install. Tap a stick to pick it up, then tap an empty slot.

Does Matchstick Puzzle save my high score?

Yes. Your personal best, statistics and achievements for Matchstick Puzzle are saved in your browser automatically.

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