How To Count Puzzles Pieces

Want to know how to count puzzles pieces?

This is how Wikipedia explains the numbers for jigsaw puzzles.

"Most jigsaw puzzles are square, rectangular or round, with edge pieces that have one side that is either straight or smoothly curved to create the shape, plus four corner pieces if the puzzle is square or rectangular.
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Another method to find out how many outside pieces are in a 1000 piece puzzle is to take the measurements of the puzzle stated on the puzzle box and draw corners on your board. As the edge pieces are assemble you will know it you have the correct amount or if any are missing.

This is how Wikipedia explains the numbers for jigsaw puzzles. "Most jigsaw puzzles are square, rectangular or round, with edge pieces that have one side that is either straight or smoothly curved to create the shape, plus four corner pieces if the puzzle is square or rectangular.

Some jigsaw puzzles have edge pieces that are cut just like all the rest of the interlocking pieces, with no smooth edge, to make them more challenging. Other puzzles are designed so the shape of the whole puzzle forms a figure, such as an animal. The edge pieces may vary more in these cases.

The most common layout for a thousand-piece puzzle is 38 pieces by 27 pieces, for a total count of 1,026 pieces.

The majority of 500-piece puzzles are 27 pieces by 19 pieces = 513 pieces.

A few puzzles are made double-sided, so that they can be solved from either side. This adds a level of complexity, because it cannot be certain if the correct side of the piece is being viewed and assembled with the other pieces." (Excerpt from Wikipedia)

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Want to know how to count puzzles pieces?

The cut will determine how many. Short of being the person who designed the cutting pattern or the company/manufacturer who chooses the cutting pattern that states how many pieces, the only way you can guarantee the jigsaw puzzle is complete is to physically do the jigsaw puzzle yourself.

The following are excerpts from various Q&A sites on  how to count puzzles pieces;

  • Some jigsaws, particularly, Waddingtons & Tower Press jigsaws, have pieces with five connectors so even if you do the border and count the rest, you're not certain it's complete.
  • For example; some 500 pieced ones may have 502 pieces even the border is 20 x 26 pieces (520), some 750s have 750 pieces even though the border is 24 x 32 (768).
  • You could also have the other extreme where some pieces are in two bits some 1000 pieced. Some Waddingtons/Tower press ones have this setup with the border 38 x 26 (988).
  • Any jigsaws with whimsies will also be tricky in relation to 'just doing the border' pieces.
  •  Measure the thickness of one piece, then stack them up and measure the height, place them in a tube, preferably clear, of small enough diameter so the pieces won't fall down the side. A graduated cylinder would be perfect.
  • If puzzles are cut on a rectangular grid, then, assuming that the ratio of the puzzle dimensions is 4:3, one might expect a “1000-piece puzzle" to have 28 rows, 36 columns, and 36×28=1008 pieces
  •  If you want a realistic answer, just Google some 3000 piece puzzles and find many similar ones then get your best answer.

Final comments on how to count puzzles pieces.
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So...you've searched the internet for the exact number of pieces or contacted the Company to ask exactly how many pieces or your puzzle does not fit into the calculations shared above and you still do not have the answer - what do you do?

There really is only one answer. The only way on  how to count puzzles pieces is to physically doing the jigsaw puzzle yourself.  That will accomplish 2 things. One, you get an accurate count and 2, you will know IF there are any missing pieces - cause even the Company, manufacturer or the pattern cut designer cannot know IF there is a piece missing, right????

And to assist you with counting your puzzle while you are assembling it, see the following handy counting tools that is simply worn on your finger. Use a click for every piece you put into the correct place. It makes counting pieces a whole lot more fun!

How to Count Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces That Are. Random Cut>

Counting jigsaw puzzles that have random cuts can be a bit more challenging than counting puzzles with traditional interlocking pieces. However, there are a few strategies you can use to make the process easier.

  1. Sort the Pieces: Start by sorting the pieces into piles based on their color or pattern. This will help you keep track of which pieces you've already counted.
  2. Count the Border Pieces: The first step in counting a random cut puzzle is to count the border pieces. This is usually the easiest part of the puzzle to assemble, and counting the pieces will give you a good idea of the total number of pieces in the puzzle.
  3. Divide and Conquer: Once you've counted the border pieces, you can start dividing the puzzle into smaller sections. For example, you could count the number of pieces in each corner of the puzzle or count the pieces in each quadrant of the puzzle.
  4. Use a Piece of Paper and Pencil: As you count the pieces, it can be helpful to use a piece of paper and pencil to keep track of the number of pieces in each section. This will help you avoid losing count or counting the same piece twice.
  5. Count the Smaller Sections: Once you've counted the pieces in each quadrant or corner of the puzzle, you can start counting the pieces in smaller sections. For example, you could count the pieces in a specific area of the puzzle, such as a tree or a building.
  6. Double-Check Your Count: Once you've counted all the pieces, it's important to double-check your count. Compare your count to the number of pieces listed on the box to ensure that you have all the pieces you need.

In summary, counting jigsaw puzzles with random cuts can be a bit more challenging, but it's still possible to do it accurately with a bit of patience and organization. By dividing the puzzle into smaller sections, using a piece of paper and pencil, and double-checking your count, you can ensure that you have all the pieces you need to complete your puzzle successfully.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR - With her self-published book and  over 300 jigsaw puzzle reviews,  Linda has established herself as a prominent social media marketing influencer and jigsaw puzzle-preneur.  If you want to send Linda a quick message, visit her contact page here.

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