Pipes
Rotate pieces to connect the network
Pipes (also known as Net or Plumber) is a rotation puzzle where you turn pipe pieces to form one connected network. Every cell contains a pipe piece — straight, elbow, T-junction, or cross — and you rotate each piece until all connections line up with no loose ends pointing at walls or unconnected neighbors. The puzzle demands spatial reasoning and network thinking, as each rotation affects what neighboring cells need.
How to Play Pipes
Pipe Pieces
Each cell contains a pipe piece: straight (connects two opposite sides), elbow (connects two adjacent sides), T-junction (three sides), or cross (all four).
Rotate to Connect
Click or tap a piece to rotate it 90 degrees. Rotate pieces until every connection matches its neighbor.
No Loose Ends
A connection pointing at a wall (grid edge) or at a neighbor's blank side is invalid. Every opening must connect to something.
One Network
All pipes must form a single connected network. No isolated groups allowed.
Edge Constraints
Pieces on the grid edge cannot have connections pointing outward (unless the puzzle variant allows wrapping).
All Pieces Used
Every cell already contains a piece. You cannot add, remove, or move pieces — only rotate them.
Strategy & Solving Tips
Pipes solving starts from the most constrained pieces and works inward. Edge and corner constraints provide the strongest starting deductions.
- Corner pieces can only face two directions — determine their correct orientation first
- Edge pieces cannot point outward, eliminating half their possible rotations immediately
- Straight pieces along an edge must run parallel to that edge
- T-junctions on an edge have their closed side facing outward, locking their orientation
- Cross pieces never need rotating (all four sides connect), so use them as fixed reference points
- Work inward from solved edges: each locked piece constrains its neighbors' orientations
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Rotating inner pieces before locking in edge and corner pieces — always start from the most constrained positions
- Forgetting that the network must be fully connected — isolated loops or disconnected sections are invalid
- Assuming a piece is correct before checking all its neighbors — one correct connection doesn't mean all four sides are right
- Overlooking that cross pieces are already solved and can anchor your deductions for surrounding cells
Pipes FAQ
Can pipes form loops?
In standard Pipes puzzles, the network is a single connected tree with no loops. Every pair of cells has exactly one path between them. Some variants allow loops, but the no-loop constraint makes deduction cleaner.
Does the puzzle have a source or endpoint?
Some variants highlight a source cell, but the core puzzle type simply requires all pieces to connect into one network. The aesthetic result is a satisfying web of connected pipes.
What if two rotations seem equally valid?
Look at neighboring cells more carefully. The constraints from adjacent pieces usually eliminate one option. If both truly seem valid, work on a different area and return with more information.
Are cross pieces always correctly oriented?
Yes. A cross piece connects all four sides and looks the same in any rotation, so it's effectively pre-solved. Use it as an anchor for neighboring deductions.
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Ready to Play Pipes?
Connect every piece in Pipes — the rotation puzzle where every twist brings the network closer to completion. Spatial logic at its most satisfying.