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LinkedIn · Patches

LinkedIn Patches #188 answer — September 21, 2026

Unofficial hints. Not affiliated with LinkedIn.

Hints get stronger as you go. The answer is always the last step — nothing is revealed until you tap.

  1. 1A first footholdShow hint
  2. 2Halfway thereShow hint
  3. 3Solve it step by stepShow hint

    Rows count from the top and columns from the left. Sizes read height × width, so a 1×4 strip lies along a row and a 4×1 strip runs down a column.

    1. The 6 in row 1, column 3 is boxed in by the grid edge and the clue in row 2, column 3, so its patch is the 1×6 strip from column 1 to column 6 of row 1.
    2. The 5 in row 2, column 3 is boxed in by the grid edge, the clue in row 2, column 2, and the patch of the 6 in row 1, column 3, so its patch is the 5×1 strip from row 2 to row 6 of column 3.
    3. Only the 8 in row 5, column 5 can reach the cell in row 2, column 5, so its patch must cover it. The clue in row 5, column 4 leaves just one way to do that: the 4×2 rectangle from row 2, column 5 to row 5, column 6.
    4. Only the tall clue in row 2, column 2 can reach the cell in row 6, column 1, so its patch must cover it. The grid edge and the patches already placed leave just one way to do that: the 5×2 rectangle from row 2, column 1 to row 6, column 2.
    5. Only the wide clue in row 6, column 4 can reach the cell in row 6, column 6, so its patch must cover it. The grid edge and the patches already placed leave just one way to do that: the 1×3 strip from column 4 to column 6 of row 6.
    6. Only the tall clue in row 5, column 4 is left, so its patch is whatever remains: the 4×1 strip from row 2 to row 5 of column 4.
  4. 4Patches #188 solutionShow answer
    • 6×1 rectangle at row 1, column 1
    • 1×5 rectangle at row 2, column 3
    • 2×5 rectangle at row 2, column 1
    • 1×4 rectangle at row 2, column 4
    • 3×1 rectangle at row 6, column 4
    • 2×4 rectangle at row 2, column 5

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How to play Patches

  • Divide the whole grid into rectangles — no gaps, no overlaps.
  • Each rectangle contains exactly one clue.
  • A number tells you how many cells that rectangle covers.
  • The badge sets its shape: square (as tall as it is wide), tall (taller than wide), wide (wider than tall) or any.

Stuck on your own grid? Open the Patches solver.

Full Patches rules, a first game step by step, and FAQ

Read the Patches strategy guide →