2026-07-11
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Puzzle guide
Full breakdown using the Solver walkthrough format — patch placements, tiling analysis, and strategy notes.
Overview
LinkedIn Patches #116 is the LinkedIn Patches daily for July 11, 2026. Patches is LinkedIn's tiling puzzle: partition a 7×7 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: Hard. Estimated solve time: 6–10 min.
Answer
This board has 12 clues on a 7×7 grid — each maps to one non-overlapping patch.
12 rectangles tile the 7×7 grid (49 cells): clue 1 → 1×3, clue 2 → 2×1, clue 3 → 3×3, clue 4 → 1×3, clue 5 → 1×4, clue 6 → 2×4, clue 7 → 1×2, clue 8 → 1×2, clue 9 → 2×2, clue 10 → 2×3, clue 11 → 2×1, clue 12 → 4×1. No overlap, every clue covered exactly once.
Analysis
I solve LinkedIn Patches #116 patch by patch on a 7×7 grid. 12 clues to satisfy, 4 with numbered areas. My tiling order: clue 1 (1×3) → clue 2 (2×1) → clue 3 (3×3) → clue 4 (1×3) → clue 5 (1×4) → clue 6 (2×4) → clue 7 (1×2) → clue 8 (1×2) → clue 9 (2×2) → clue 10 (2×3) → clue 11 (2×1) → clue 12 (4×1). I draw the tightest rectangles first and check that the remaining space can still partition cleanly before committing each shape.
Before the first drag I scan for the largest area clues and strict shape icons — on this board that means Clues are spread across the grid with mixed constraints — work from the tightest clues outward and verify each patch still allows a full tiling.
General Patches strategy on 7×7: 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.
I draw patch 1 next — 1×3 at Row 1, column 3. This patch covers 3 cells (1×3). The shape icon allows any rectangle proportion. After placing this 3-cell rectangle, 46 cells remain for 11 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 2 next — 2×1 at Row 1, column 4. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 44 cells remain for 10 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 3 next — 3×3 at Row 1, column 5. This patch covers 9 cells (3×3). The shape icon requires a square. After placing this 9-cell rectangle, 35 cells remain for 9 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 4 next — 1×3 at Row 2, column 2. This patch covers 3 cells (1×3). The shape icon requires a wide rectangle (wider than tall). After placing this 3-cell rectangle, 32 cells remain for 8 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 5 next — 1×4 at Row 3, column 2. This patch covers 4 cells (1×4). The shape icon allows any rectangle proportion. After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 28 cells remain for 7 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 6 next — 2×4 at Row 4, column 2. The clue shows area 8, so this patch must cover exactly 8 cells (2×4 = 8). After placing this 8-cell rectangle, 20 cells remain for 6 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 7 next — 1×2 at Row 4, column 6. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (1×2 = 2). After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 18 cells remain for 5 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 8 next — 1×2 at Row 5, column 6. This patch covers 2 cells (1×2). The shape icon allows any rectangle proportion. After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 16 cells remain for 4 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 9 next — 2×2 at Row 6, column 6. This patch covers 4 cells (2×2). The shape icon requires a square. After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 12 cells remain for 3 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 10 next — 2×3 at Row 7, column 3. This patch covers 6 cells (2×3). The shape icon requires a wide rectangle (wider than tall). After placing this 6-cell rectangle, 6 cells remain for 2 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 11 next — 2×1 at Row 7, column 4. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 4 cells remain for 1 clue. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
I draw patch 12 next — 4×1 at Row 7, column 5. This patch covers 4 cells (4×1). The shape icon allows any rectangle proportion. This 4-cell patch completes the grid — all 49 cells are now assigned to exactly one clue.
Done — every cell colored, no overlaps, all clues satisfied. Clues are spread across the grid with mixed constraints — work from the tightest clues outward and verify each patch still allows a full tiling.
Patches
Shape & area
This patch covers 3 cells (1×3). The shape icon allows any rectangle proportion.
After placing this 3-cell rectangle, 46 cells remain for 11 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
First patch: After placing this 3-cell rectangle, 46 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).
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 44 cells remain for 10 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Second patch: After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 44 cells remain for 10 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
This patch covers 9 cells (3×3). The shape icon requires a square.
After placing this 9-cell rectangle, 35 cells remain for 9 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Third patch: After placing this 9-cell rectangle, 35 cells remain for 9 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
This patch covers 3 cells (1×3). The shape icon requires a wide rectangle (wider than tall).
After placing this 3-cell rectangle, 32 cells remain for 8 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Fourth patch: After placing this 3-cell rectangle, 32 cells remain for 8 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
This patch covers 4 cells (1×4). The shape icon allows any rectangle proportion.
After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 28 cells remain for 7 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Fifth patch: After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 28 cells remain for 7 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
The clue shows area 8, so this patch must cover exactly 8 cells (2×4 = 8).
After placing this 8-cell rectangle, 20 cells remain for 6 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Sixth patch: After placing this 8-cell rectangle, 20 cells remain for 6 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (1×2 = 2).
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 18 cells remain for 5 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Seventh patch: After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 18 cells remain for 5 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
This patch covers 2 cells (1×2). The shape icon allows any rectangle proportion.
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 16 cells remain for 4 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Eighth patch: After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 16 cells remain for 4 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
This patch covers 4 cells (2×2). The shape icon requires a square.
After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 12 cells remain for 3 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Ninth patch: After placing this 4-cell rectangle, 12 cells remain for 3 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
This patch covers 6 cells (2×3). The shape icon requires a wide rectangle (wider than tall).
After placing this 6-cell rectangle, 6 cells remain for 2 clues. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Tenth patch: After placing this 6-cell rectangle, 6 cells remain for 2 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).
After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 4 cells remain for 1 clue. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Solving note
Patch 11: After placing this 2-cell rectangle, 4 cells remain for 1 clue. Each leftover region must still tile without overlap.
Shape & area
This patch covers 4 cells (4×1). The shape icon allows any rectangle proportion.
This 4-cell patch completes the grid — all 49 cells are now assigned to exactly one clue.
Solving note
Patch 12: This 4-cell patch completes the grid — all 49 cells are now assigned to exactly one clue.
Verification
I trust this tiling because every patch I placed was the only rectangle that still allowed the whole grid to complete. Wrong sizes would either break area math, violate a shape icon, or trap remaining clues in untileable gaps.
Solve path
Phase 1: Partition the 7×7 grid into 12 non-overlapping rectangles — one per clue, matching area and shape hints. Patch 1: draw 1×3 at Row 1, column 1 for the clue at Row 1, column 3. This patch covers 3 cells (1×3). Patch 2: draw 2×1 at Row 1, column 4 for the clue at Row 1, column 4. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). Patch 3: draw 3×3 at Row 1, column 5 for the clue at Row 1, column 5. This patch covers 9 cells (3×3). Patch 4: draw 1×3 at Row 2, column 1 for the clue at Row 2, column 2. This patch covers 3 cells (1×3). Patch 5: draw 1×4 at Row 3, column 1 for the clue at Row 3, column 2. This patch covers 4 cells (1×4). Patch 6: draw 2×4 at Row 4, column 1 for the clue at Row 4, column 2. The clue shows area 8, so this patch must cover exactly 8 cells (2×4 = 8). Patch 7: draw 1×2 at Row 4, column 6 for the clue at Row 4, column 6. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (1×2 = 2). Patch 8: draw 1×2 at Row 5, column 6 for the clue at Row 5, column 6. This patch covers 2 cells (1×2). Patch 9: draw 2×2 at Row 6, column 6 for the clue at Row 6, column 6. This patch covers 4 cells (2×2). Patch 10: draw 2×3 at Row 6, column 1 for the clue at Row 7, column 3. This patch covers 6 cells (2×3). Patch 11: draw 2×1 at Row 6, column 4 for the clue at Row 7, column 4. The clue shows area 2, so this patch must cover exactly 2 cells (2×1 = 2). Patch 12: draw 4×1 at Row 4, column 5 for the clue at Row 7, column 5. This patch covers 4 cells (4×1). Complete: 49 cells covered, 12 valid patches — full tiling verified.
Pattern
Clues are spread across the grid with mixed constraints — work from the tightest clues outward and verify each patch still allows a full tiling.
Learn more in Patches Puzzle Strategies →Takeaways
Patch order clue 1 (1×3) → clue 2 (2×1) → clue 3 (3×3) → clue 4 (1×3) → clue 5 (1×4) → clue 6 (2×4) → clue 7 (1×2) → clue 8 (1×2) → clue 9 (2×2) → clue 10 (2×3) → clue 11 (2×1) → clue 12 (4×1) matched how free space shrank — largest anchors first, then filling narrow gaps around them.
Drawing a rectangle that contains zero or two clues invalidates the patch immediately — always verify the clue cell sits inside and alone.
Retry LinkedIn Patches #116 using only one hint. You should lock the first forced patch within a minute if you scan area 9 anchors first.
Solution
This 7×7 board has 12 clues, 4 of which specify a required area. Shape hints include any, square, wide proportions. 12 rectangles tile the 7×7 grid (49 cells): clue 1 → 1×3, clue 2 → 2×1, clue 3 → 3×3, clue 4 → 1×3, clue 5 → 1×4, clue 6 → 2×4, clue 7 → 1×2, clue 8 → 1×2, clue 9 → 2×2, clue 10 → 2×3, clue 11 → 2×1, clue 12 → 4×1. No overlap, every clue covered exactly once. Clues are spread across the grid with mixed constraints — work from the tightest clues outward and verify each patch still allows a full tiling. Use the Solution tab for a patch-by-patch reveal with live board updates, or the Solved board tab for the complete tiling.