2026-01-04
Puzzle guide
Full breakdown using the Pattern lab format — patch placements, tiling analysis, and strategy notes.
Overview
Patches Level 4 is part of our exclusive Patches level track. Patches is LinkedIn's tiling puzzle: partition a 6×6 grid into non-overlapping rectangles — one per clue — matching area and shape hints until every cell is covered. This page includes the live board, a solved-board view, and a step-by-step Solution walkthrough. Difficulty: Easy. Estimated solve time: 3–5 min.
Answer
This board has 17 clues on a 6×6 grid — each maps to one non-overlapping patch.
17 rectangles tile the 6×6 grid (36 cells): clue 1 → 1×2, clue 2 → 2×1, clue 3 → 4×1, clue 4 → 3×1, clue 5 → 2×1, clue 6 → 2×1, clue 7 → 2×1, clue 8 → 3×1, clue 9 → 1×1, clue 10 → 3×1, clue 11 → 2×1, clue 12 → 2×2, clue 13 → 2×1, clue 14 → 1×1, clue 15 → 1×1, clue 16 → 1×1, clue 17 → 1×1. No overlap, every clue covered exactly once.
Analysis
Classification target Patches Level 4. Grid 6×6. Clue sample 17. Shape mix: 6 square, 10 tall, 1 wide. Area spread 1–4. Pattern: shape-locked board. Placement vector: clue 1 (1×2) → clue 2 (2×1) → clue 3 (4×1) → clue 4 (3×1) → clue 5 (2×1) → clue 6 (2×1) → clue 7 (2×1) → clue 8 (3×1) → clue 9 (1×1) → clue 10 (3×1) → clue 11 (2×1) → clue 12 (2×2) → clue 13 (2×1) → clue 14 (1×1) → clue 15 (1×1) → clue 16 (1×1) → clue 17 (1×1).
Board spotlight: Most clues specify a strict shape icon (square, tall, or wide) — shape constraints often pin down dimensions before you can draw anything. With 17 of 17 clues showing a numbered area, dimension math often pins down rectangle size before you choose a position on the grid.
General Patches strategy on 6×6: rectangles cannot overlap, every cell must belong to exactly one patch, and each patch must contain precisely one clue at its anchor cell. When a clue shows area 12 and a tall icon, only a few height×width pairs are legal — list them before drawing. After each placement, mentally partition the leftover white space: if any region cannot host its remaining clues, back up and try the next candidate.
Sample 1: clue 1, area 2, shape wide. 1×2 at Row 1, column 1. After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 34 cells remain for 16 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Sample 2: clue 2, area 2, shape tall. 2×1 at Row 1, column 3. After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 32 cells remain for 15 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Sample 3: clue 3, area 4, shape tall. 4×1 at Row 1, column 4. After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 28 cells remain for 14 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Sample 4: clue 4, area 3, shape tall. 3×1 at Row 1, column 5. After placing this 3-cell rectangle, 25 cells remain for 13 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Sample 5: clue 5, area 2, shape tall. 2×1 at Row 1, column 6. After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 23 cells remain for 12 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Sample 6: clue 6, area 2, shape tall. 2×1 at Row 2, column 1. After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 21 cells remain for 11 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Sample 7: clue 7, area 2, shape tall. 2×1 at Row 2, column 2. After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 19 cells remain for 10 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Sample 8: clue 8, area 3, shape tall. 3×1 at Row 3, column 3. After placing this 3-cell rectangle, 16 cells remain for 9 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Sample 9: clue 9, area 1, shape square. 1×1 at Row 3, column 6. After placing this 1-cell rectangle, 15 cells remain for 8 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Sample 10: clue 10, area 3, shape tall. 3×1 at Row 4, column 1. After placing this 3-cell rectangle, 12 cells remain for 7 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Sample 11: clue 11, area 2, shape tall. 2×1 at Row 4, column 2. After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 10 cells remain for 6 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Sample 12: clue 12, area 4, shape square. 2×2 at Row 4, column 5. After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 6 cells remain for 5 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Sample 13: clue 13, area 2, shape tall. 2×1 at Row 5, column 4. After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 4 cells remain for 4 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Sample 14: clue 14, area 1, shape square. 1×1 at Row 6, column 2. After placing this 1-cell rectangle, 3 cells remain for 3 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Sample 15: clue 15, area 1, shape square. 1×1 at Row 6, column 3. After placing this 1-cell rectangle, 2 cells remain for 2 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Sample 16: clue 16, area 1, shape square. 1×1 at Row 6, column 5. After placing this 1-cell rectangle, 1 cells remain for 1 clue. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Sample 17: clue 17, area 1, shape square. 1×1 at Row 6, column 6. This 1-cell patch completes the grid — all 36 cells are now assigned to exactly one clue.
Lab result: Shape-locked board. 17 rectangles tile the 6×6 grid (36 cells): clue 1 → 1×2, clue 2 → 2×1, clue 3 → 4×1, clue 4 → 3×1, clue 5 → 2×1, clue 6 → 2×1, clue 7 → 2×1, clue 8 → 3×1, clue 9 → 1×1, clue 10 → 3×1, clue 11 → 2×1, clue 12 → 2×2, clue 13 → 2×1, clue 14 → 1×1, clue 15 → 1×1, clue 16 → 1×1, clue 17 → 1×1. No overlap, every clue covered exactly once.
Patches
Shape & area
The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (1×2 = 2). The shape icon requires a wide rectangle (wider than tall).
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 34 cells remain for 16 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 34 cells remain for 16 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). The shape icon requires a tall rectangle (taller than wide).
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 32 cells remain for 15 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 32 cells remain for 15 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
The clue shows area 4, so this patch must cover exactly 4 cells (4×1 = 4). The shape icon requires a tall rectangle (taller than wide).
After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 28 cells remain for 14 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 28 cells remain for 14 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
The clue shows area 3, so this patch must cover exactly 3 cells (3×1 = 3). The shape icon requires a tall rectangle (taller than wide).
After placing this 3-cell rectangle, 25 cells remain for 13 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
After placing this 3-cell rectangle, 25 cells remain for 13 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). The shape icon requires a tall rectangle (taller than wide).
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 23 cells remain for 12 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 23 cells remain for 12 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). The shape icon requires a tall rectangle (taller than wide).
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 21 cells remain for 11 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 21 cells remain for 11 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). The shape icon requires a tall rectangle (taller than wide).
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 19 cells remain for 10 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 19 cells remain for 10 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
The clue shows area 3, so this patch must cover exactly 3 cells (3×1 = 3). The shape icon requires a tall rectangle (taller than wide).
After placing this 3-cell rectangle, 16 cells remain for 9 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
After placing this 3-cell rectangle, 16 cells remain for 9 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
The clue shows area 1, so this patch must cover exactly 1 cells (1×1 = 1). The shape icon requires a square.
After placing this 1-cell rectangle, 15 cells remain for 8 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
After placing this 1-cell rectangle, 15 cells remain for 8 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
The clue shows area 3, so this patch must cover exactly 3 cells (3×1 = 3). The shape icon requires a tall rectangle (taller than wide).
After placing this 3-cell rectangle, 12 cells remain for 7 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
After placing this 3-cell rectangle, 12 cells remain for 7 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). The shape icon requires a tall rectangle (taller than wide).
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 10 cells remain for 6 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 10 cells remain for 6 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
The clue shows area 4, so this patch must cover exactly 4 cells (2×2 = 4). The shape icon requires a square.
After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 6 cells remain for 5 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 6 cells remain for 5 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). The shape icon requires a tall rectangle (taller than wide).
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 4 cells remain for 4 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 4 cells remain for 4 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
The clue shows area 1, so this patch must cover exactly 1 cells (1×1 = 1). The shape icon requires a square.
After placing this 1-cell rectangle, 3 cells remain for 3 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
After placing this 1-cell rectangle, 3 cells remain for 3 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
The clue shows area 1, so this patch must cover exactly 1 cells (1×1 = 1). The shape icon requires a square.
After placing this 1-cell rectangle, 2 cells remain for 2 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
After placing this 1-cell rectangle, 2 cells remain for 2 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
The clue shows area 1, so this patch must cover exactly 1 cells (1×1 = 1). The shape icon requires a square.
After placing this 1-cell rectangle, 1 cells remain for 1 clue. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
After placing this 1-cell rectangle, 1 cells remain for 1 clue. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
The clue shows area 1, so this patch must cover exactly 1 cells (1×1 = 1). The shape icon requires a square.
This 1-cell patch completes the grid — all 36 cells are now assigned to exactly one clue.
Solving note
This 1-cell patch completes the grid — all 36 cells are now assigned to exactly one clue.
Verification
Optimal partition vector clue 1 (1×2) → clue 2 (2×1) → clue 3 (4×1) → clue 4 (3×1) → clue 5 (2×1) → clue 6 (2×1) → clue 7 (2×1) → clue 8 (3×1) → clue 9 (1×1) → clue 10 (3×1) → clue 11 (2×1) → clue 12 (2×2) → clue 13 (2×1) → clue 14 (1×1) → clue 15 (1×1) → clue 16 (1×1) → clue 17 (1×1). Constraint profile: 17 area-locked clues, shapes 6 square, 10 tall, 1 wide. Pattern class: shape-locked board.
Solve path
Phase 1: Partition the 6×6 grid into 17 non-overlapping rectangles — one per clue, matching area and shape hints. Patch 1: draw 1×2 at Row 1, column 1 for the clue at Row 1, column 2. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (1×2 = 2). Patch 2: draw 2×1 at Row 1, column 3 for the clue at Row 1, column 3. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). Patch 3: draw 4×1 at Row 1, column 4 for the clue at Row 4, column 4. The clue shows area 4, so this patch must cover exactly 4 cells (4×1 = 4). Patch 4: draw 3×1 at Row 1, column 5 for the clue at Row 1, column 5. The clue shows area 3, so this patch must cover exactly 3 cells (3×1 = 3). Patch 5: draw 2×1 at Row 1, column 6 for the clue at Row 2, column 6. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). Patch 6: draw 2×1 at Row 2, column 1 for the clue at Row 2, column 1. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). Patch 7: draw 2×1 at Row 2, column 2 for the clue at Row 3, column 2. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). Patch 8: draw 3×1 at Row 3, column 3 for the clue at Row 3, column 3. The clue shows area 3, so this patch must cover exactly 3 cells (3×1 = 3). Patch 9: draw 1×1 at Row 3, column 6 for the clue at Row 3, column 6. The clue shows area 1, so this patch must cover exactly 1 cells (1×1 = 1). Patch 10: draw 3×1 at Row 4, column 1 for the clue at Row 6, column 1. The clue shows area 3, so this patch must cover exactly 3 cells (3×1 = 3). Patch 11: draw 2×1 at Row 4, column 2 for the clue at Row 5, column 2. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). Patch 12: draw 2×2 at Row 4, column 5 for the clue at Row 5, column 6. The clue shows area 4, so this patch must cover exactly 4 cells (2×2 = 4). Patch 13: draw 2×1 at Row 5, column 4 for the clue at Row 5, column 4. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). Patch 14: draw 1×1 at Row 6, column 2 for the clue at Row 6, column 2. The clue shows area 1, so this patch must cover exactly 1 cells (1×1 = 1). Patch 15: draw 1×1 at Row 6, column 3 for the clue at Row 6, column 3. The clue shows area 1, so this patch must cover exactly 1 cells (1×1 = 1). Patch 16: draw 1×1 at Row 6, column 5 for the clue at Row 6, column 5. The clue shows area 1, so this patch must cover exactly 1 cells (1×1 = 1). Patch 17: draw 1×1 at Row 6, column 6 for the clue at Row 6, column 6. The clue shows area 1, so this patch must cover exactly 1 cells (1×1 = 1). Complete: 36 cells covered, 17 valid patches — full tiling verified.
Pattern
Most clues specify a strict shape icon (square, tall, or wide) — shape constraints often pin down dimensions before you can draw anything.
Learn more in Patches Puzzle Strategies →Takeaways
All 17 samples partition the 6×6 grid. Same rule: one clue per rectangle, no overlap, full coverage.
Areas on this board range 1–4 cells. Shape-locked board boards require balancing shape and area constraints.
17 rectangles tile the 6×6 grid (36 cells): clue 1 → 1×2, clue 2 → 2×1, clue 3 → 4×1, clue 4 → 3×1, clue 5 → 2×1, clue 6 → 2×1, clue 7 → 2×1, clue 8 → 3×1, clue 9 → 1×1, clue 10 → 3×1, clue 11 → 2×1, clue 12 → 2×2, clue 13 → 2×1, clue 14 → 1×1, clue 15 → 1×1, clue 16 → 1×1, clue 17 → 1×1. No overlap, every clue covered exactly once.
Solution
This 6×6 board has 17 clues, 17 of which specify a required area. Shape hints include wide, tall, square proportions. 17 rectangles tile the 6×6 grid (36 cells): clue 1 → 1×2, clue 2 → 2×1, clue 3 → 4×1, clue 4 → 3×1, clue 5 → 2×1, clue 6 → 2×1, clue 7 → 2×1, clue 8 → 3×1, clue 9 → 1×1, clue 10 → 3×1, clue 11 → 2×1, clue 12 → 2×2, clue 13 → 2×1, clue 14 → 1×1, clue 15 → 1×1, clue 16 → 1×1, clue 17 → 1×1. No overlap, every clue covered exactly once. Most clues specify a strict shape icon (square, tall, or wide) — shape constraints often pin down dimensions before you can draw anything. Use the Solution tab for a patch-by-patch reveal with live board updates, or the Solved board tab for the complete tiling.