How to Get Better at Puzzles

Let’s be honest: this might not be the answer you were hoping for, but the real way to get better at puzzles? It’s not a hack or secret strategy. It’s practice.

And I totally get it — that answer feels a little cheesy, right? But it’s the truth. The puzzlers you see online finishing a 1000-piece puzzle in one sitting didn’t just wake up one day and start doing that. Most of us have been puzzling for years. I started doing puzzles when I was just three years old, and since then, I’ve completed thousands of them. 

The more you puzzle, the more patterns you’ll start to see. You’ll learn to recognize piece shapes, color gradients, and even the quirks of different brands. Suddenly, things that used to frustrate you — like a sea of blue sky — will become your favorite part. (That’s what happened to me!) I'd also recommend looking at the puzzles you are doing and maybe consider easier images as you work up your confidence. Puzzle Warehouse has a whole page for beginners!

What About Speed Puzzling?

Now, I do a lot of speed puzzling these days — and I love it. But I want to be really clear: you don’t have to speed puzzle to get better. For me, the motivation to improve came from a very specific place — I didn’t want to come in last during a livestream! That gave me the little push I needed to really kick into gear and start practicing more intentionally.

Speed puzzling has helped me try out new strategies, like sorting pieces by shape during tough sections or even changing the angle I’m working from. And yes — I practice nearly every day when I’m preparing for a competition.

But that doesn’t mean you have to be fast. It’s totally okay to take your time, light a candle, pour a glass of wine (or a cup of tea), and enjoy the process. Puzzling is about you, not a timer.

Don’t Be Discouraged

If you feel like you’re slow — that’s okay. You’re building something with your hands and mind, and there’s no “right” speed for that.

Whether you’re doing your first puzzle or your 500th, remember that it’s about self-care, winding down, and enjoying the moment. You will get better with time — and maybe even surprise yourself along the way.

But if you do want some puzzle-solving strategies to try out, we’ve got you covered — head over to our blog on how to complete a puzzle faster for a full breakdown of techniques.

Quick Answer

Want to get better at puzzles? Just keep puzzling! Practice really is the best way to improve — and the more you do it, the more fun it becomes.