You’re looking at a photo of a tiled floor. Right in the center is an awkward hole in the shape of a cross or plus sign. And the challenge is simple: How many tiles are needed to finish the job?
Is the answer 9? 10? 12? 13?
It’s the kind of puzzle that looks easy—until you realize it’s messing with your eyes. You’re about to find out just how good your spatial awareness and attention to detail really are. So pause, take a deep breath, and try to solve it before scrolling further.
Why This Puzzle Stumps So Many People
This kind of visual brain teaser isn’t just about counting—it’s about interpreting space correctly. The most common mistake is to glance quickly and estimate. But that’s where things go wrong.
Some people underestimate how many tiles are missing because they only focus on the visible dirt patch and don’t account for tile shapes. Others misinterpret the perspective and assume the tiles farther back are smaller, when in reality, they’re all the same size—just viewed from an angle. The key to solving this is thinking in units, not just area.
Let’s Break It Down Step by Step
Step one: identify the tile shape. The tiles are square but placed on a diagonal, forming a diamond layout across the floor.
Step two: treat each visible space as needing a full tile—even if the gap looks partial due to edges or shadows.
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Now, if you count the tile-shaped spaces directly, you’ll notice the missing area is shaped like a plus sign. Think of it as a cross made up of one center tile and arms extending in each direction. If we mentally overlay the tile pattern, we can count the gaps where full tiles are needed.
There are 3 tiles along the vertical section and 3 along the horizontal. However, the center tile is counted in both rows, so we subtract one to avoid duplication.
That’s 3 + 3 – 1 = 5 tiles visible in the vertical and horizontal arms.
But now, let’s complete the count by looking at the four corner spaces as well. Each arm of the plus sign has a tile-shaped corner spot extending out diagonally. There are four of these visible, and each requires a full tile.
So, 5 (from the arms) + 4 (corner diagonals) = 9.
Now pause—are we missing anything?
Yes. There are three more tile-sized gaps within the overall hole that are not directly visible unless you follow the floor’s pattern closely. That brings the count to 12 full tiles needed.
Why 12 Is the Correct Answer
You’re not counting pieces of tile or awkward edges—you’re counting full tile units based on the pattern of the floor. Despite perspective distortion in the photo, the logic of tile layout doesn’t lie.
And yes, a few people still answer 13 because they count one area twice. Others say 10 because they only count the central shape. But when you factor in all visible gaps and keep your reference consistent, the final total is a clean 12.
Common Mistakes That Lead to the Wrong Answer
Many people:
- Focus only on the empty dirt patch without aligning it to tile shapes
- Get thrown off by the photo’s perspective and shadows
- Misinterpret corners or think partial tiles count as less than one
- Try to be too clever, overanalyzing or assuming it’s a trick question
Truth is, the question is straightforward—you just need to think clearly.
So, What Was Your Answer?
Did you get 12 right away? Or did you shout “It’s 10!” like most people on the internet? Were you tempted to second-guess yourself? Tell us in the comments what you thought and see how your answer compares to others.
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Then, share the challenge and ask your friends. It’s always fun to watch someone swear they’re right… until they aren’t.
Conclusion: Sometimes, Logic Beats Speed
This puzzle isn’t just a fun brain exercise—it’s a reminder that taking a moment to look closer and think carefully can make all the difference. In puzzles and in life, rushing rarely gets you the right answer.
And if this one gave your brain a bit of a workout, good! That means you’re sharpening your observation skills and training your focus. Keep going—there are plenty more riddles where this came from. Ready for the next one?
