Whether you’re tackling a relaxing 500-piece puzzle or diving into a challenging 3000-piece masterpiece, how you sort your puzzle pieces can make all the difference. A good sorting system saves time, reduces frustration, and makes the whole puzzling experience far more enjoyable.
Here are our top tips for sorting puzzle pieces like a pro — tried, tested, and loved by serious puzzlers.
1. Start with the Edge Pieces
This is the golden rule of puzzling.
As soon as you open the box, separate all the edge and corner pieces. These pieces have at least one straight side and form the frame of your puzzle, giving you clear boundaries and a satisfying early win.
Pro tip: Corners first → straight edges next → everything else later.
2. Sort by Colour
Once the edges are set aside, look at the puzzle image and identify the dominant colours. Group pieces by similar shades — blues, greens, reds, neutrals, and so on.
This is especially helpful for:
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Landscapes (sky, water, grass)
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Artwork puzzles
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Photographic scenes
Tip: Don’t overdo it — 4–6 colour groups is usually plenty.
3. Sort by Pattern or Texture
Some puzzles don’t rely heavily on colour, but instead on patterns or textures. Look for things like:
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Brick, wood, or stone textures
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Repeating motifs
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Text, signs, or illustrations
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Clothing, foliage, or fur
These distinctive details make it easier to spot where pieces belong later on.
4. Use Shape Sorting for Tricky Puzzles
For puzzles with lots of similar colours (hello, blue sky 😅), sorting by piece shape can be a game changer.
Try grouping pieces by:
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Tabs pointing in vs out
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Number of tabs (2-tab, 3-tab, etc.)
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Unusual or distinctive shapes
This method works especially well for large puzzles or gradient designs.
5. Keep Your Workspace Clear
A cluttered space can quickly become overwhelming. Spread pieces out so you can see them clearly, rather than stacking them in piles.
Helpful tools include:
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Shallow containers or lids
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Baking trays or large plates
Being able to scan your pieces visually saves a lot of time.
6. Sort in Stages (You Don’t Have to Do It All at Once)
You don’t need a perfect system from the start. Many experienced puzzlers re-sort as they go, refining their categories once the puzzle starts taking shape.
For example:
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Early stage: edges + basic colour groups
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Mid stage: break colours into smaller sections
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Final stage: shape-based sorting for tricky gaps
7. Keep the Puzzle Box Nearby
It sounds obvious, but keeping the box image close by makes sorting much easier. Refer back often to check:
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Colour transitions
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Background vs foreground
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Small details you might miss otherwise
Some puzzlers even prop the box lid upright or use a lid stand.
8. Find the System That Works for You
There’s no single “right” way to sort a puzzle. Some people love ultra-organised systems, others prefer a more relaxed approach.
The best method is the one that:
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Feels enjoyable
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Reduces frustration
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Helps you stay focused
After all, puzzling should be calming — not stressful.
Final Piece of Advice 🧩
Good sorting doesn’t just make puzzles easier — it makes them more satisfying. Taking a little time at the start sets you up for smoother progress, fewer false starts, and that wonderful feeling of watching a puzzle come together piece by piece.
Happy sorting — and happy puzzling!
Shop sorting trays in our Puzzle Accessories collection.
