At first glance, this puzzle seems simple. A colorful grid of squares is in front of you, and your task is to count how many squares you can find. Easy, right? But don’t be too sure—most people miscount because they overlook hidden squares that form when smaller ones combine.

The challenge lies in spotting not just the individual blocks but also the larger squares that are hidden within the grid. Can you find them all? Let’s break it down step by step to see if you can get the correct answer.

Why People Often Get This Puzzle Wrong

Most people make one common mistake when solving this puzzle: they only count the smallest squares. They don’t take the time to look for larger formations that combine multiple smaller squares.

If you want to solve it correctly, you need to train your eyes to see beyond the obvious and recognize the different layers of squares hidden within the grid.

Now, let’s carefully count them step by step.

Step 1: Counting the Smallest Individual Squares

The easiest part of the puzzle is identifying the smallest squares.

• In this grid, there are 16 individual small squares that are easy to spot.

But that’s just the beginning!

Step 2: Identifying Larger Squares Made from Two Blocks

Next, let’s look for medium-sized squares that are formed by combining four smaller squares into one.

• There are 3 larger squares like this.

These squares are slightly harder to notice but are an important part of the total count.

Step 3: Finding Even Bigger Squares

Now, let’s take it a step further and look for even larger squares. These are created by combining four of the medium-sized squares together.

• There are 2 of these bigger squares in the grid.

These squares are even trickier to spot, but we’re almost there!

Step 4: Counting the Largest Square of Them All

Many people forget to count the biggest square—the full grid itself. This is the final square that needs to be included in the total count.

• That adds 1 more square to our final tally.

Final Answer: How Many Squares Are There?

Now, let’s add up all the squares we counted:

• 16 smallest squares
• 3 medium-sized squares
• 2 larger squares
• 1 full-grid square

Final total: 19 squares!

Did You Get It Right?

If your answer was 19 squares, congratulations! You have an excellent eye for detail and strong problem-solving skills. If you counted a different number, don’t worry—this puzzle is designed to be tricky. Many people focus only on the small squares and forget about the hidden larger formations.

Why Puzzles Like This Are Great for Your Brain

Visual puzzles like this are not just fun—they also train your brain to think critically and recognize patterns. Solving puzzles helps:

• Improve logical reasoning skills
• Enhance attention to detail
• Boost problem-solving abilities

Conclusion: Challenge Your Friends!

Now that you know the secret, why not challenge your friends to solve it? See if they can find all 19 squares, or if they fall into the same trap of only counting the small ones.

This puzzle is a great way to sharpen your thinking skills and have fun at the same time. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be a master at spotting hidden patterns in any puzzle!