How do I add a Puzzle?

NOTE: While browsing, IPDb does not require a login, but adding new puzzles or new information to existing puzzles does. To log in, you will need to register first.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND BEFORE ADDING A NEW PUZZLE TO IPDb

1. Duplication prevention - check if your puzzle is already in IPDb

As IPDb continues to grow, more users like yourself will contribute new puzzles to its database. With this expansion, there is a chance that the puzzle you are about to enter has already been submitted by someone else.  

To ensure accuracy and avoid duplication, it is good practice for you to search for your puzzle before adding it. This can be done via the search screen by scanning the barcode or searching the title + brand. If a matching puzzle record exists, please verify that all details are identical to your puzzle(s), including box image (different boxes/versions require separate records). If it is indeed identical, you can enrich the existing entry by contributing additional information, including images.

See here for more information about adding details to existing records. 

3. Submitted records may not appear immediately
For new users, we review several submissions before granting direct access to the IPDb database. This process helps refine entries and ensures you receive guidance on the best way to submit puzzles.

Additionally, submissions may be delayed if flagged as a potential duplicate. Our team will investigate, and if the entry is unique, we will approve it and add it to the database. If it turns out to be a duplicate, our Admin Team will reach out to help resolve the issue.

4. Keep the mystery alive - no spoilers!
True mystery puzzle fans know the thrill! The image on the box might differ slightly, or completely, from the actual puzzle, and sometimes there’s no box image at all.  It's all part of the fun of solving a mystery puzzle, like a WASGIJ, Escape Room, Black box, Magic puzzle, and many more.

To preserve the excitement for fellow puzzlers, please mark any completed puzzle image as a mystery image. This will blur the images for other users, ensuring they can enjoy the challenge spoiler-free.  We thank you for keeping the mystery alive. :-) 

Once you have confirmed that your puzzle hasn't already been added by someone else, you can proceed with entering it as a new puzzle record.

Select the puzzle+ icon

Provide as much detail as possible - (all fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required)

Name / Title of puzzle *

Enter the name or title of the puzzle as displayed on the box. If the puzzle box does not include a name, enter (No Name) in the name field.

Note 1 - Titles in multiple languages: If the box displays the title in more than one language, enter your preferred title in the main Name field and list the other titles under the Alternative name field, separated by a comma

Note 2 - Multi-puzzle boxes: Use the general name for the set as printed on the box, then select Multi-puzzle in the special features field.  This allows you to enter individual puzzle titles and piece counts. For more info: How to enter a Multi-puzzle

Note 3 - WASGIJ puzzles:  These have specific naming conventions. Please refer to the guide How do I Enter Mystery or Other 'Special' Puzzles? for proper formatting

Brand *

Select the puzzle brand from the drop-down list. You can start typing the first letters of the brand name, and the drop-down list will automatically filter to brands, including letters you typed for easier selection.

💡 Hint

• If your brand is not listed, select 'New Brand' to add the brand to the database
• If no brand appears on the box, select the 'No Brand/Vintage' option
  
  

NOTE:  After adding a puzzle name, barcode, ID, brand and/or piece count, you may see a Potential Duplicate Warning pop up. This indicates that the puzzle you are entering might already be in the database. Refer to the Potential Duplicate Warning page for more information.

Piece count *

Enter the number of pieces as displayed on the box.

NOTE: Multi-puzzle boxes - if the puzzle box contains multiple puzzles, enter the piece count of the largest puzzle in the box. You will then be given an option to list individual puzzles and their respective piece counts in the Special Features field when the multi-puzzle is selected. See the How to enter a Multi-puzzle guide for more details.

Barcode on the box *

Barcode Scanning

If you have the box handy when creating a new record on a mobile device, you can tap the barcode icon and scan the barcode with your camera. The barcode will automatically populate the field.

TIP: Hold the device steady to ensure the barcode is read correctly, and always double-check the number after scanning!

Manual Barcode Entry

If scanning isn't possible (e.g. when using a laptop, etc.), click/tap on the barcode field and enter the numbers manually.

No Barcode on the box

For older puzzles or those without a barcode on the box, select the, no barcode icon instead.

Manufacturer ID

The Manufacturer's puzzle identification (ID) or reference number is a code assigned to a puzzle by its manufacturer or brand. This identifier helps distinguish the puzzle and is typically located on the side or back of the puzzle box.

Rather than entering incorrect information, consider taking a photo of the box section containing the details and uploading it with the other images. If you let us know, our team can review it and help to add the correct code. :-)

Images *

• Box image: Take a straight-on, close-up photo for clarity, so that the image is easier to see on smaller mobile devices. Placing the puzzle on a flat surface and photographing from the top more often produces the best result
• Completed puzzle picture: If you have completed the puzzle, include a photo of the finished work.
• Additional box images: Capture the side and back of the box, where key details like title, barcode, manufacturer ID and dimensions are displayed; this helps verify the puzzle's accuracy
• Optional: Include any extra photos which you think might interest other users (poster, special inclusions, close-up puzzle details, etc.)

Image Categorisation

On the image upload screen, you can now categorise images to help users set their default viewing preference. This means that those who prefer to see either the box or completed puzzle image as the default will see the relevant categorised image automatically; there is no need to select manually each time.

For more information, please read here: Categorising Images

IMPORTANT NOTES

1. Copywrite protection: Only upload photos that you own personally to
   avoid copywrite issues


2. Multi-puzzle boxes: If your puzzle is part of a Multi-Puzzle set, upload the box image first, followed by individual completed puzzle photos, if available
3. Mystery Puzzles: Refer to the Categorising Images guide. Completed mystery puzzle images should be marked with the image/lock icon before uploading to blur them and preserve the surprise

Categories (Puzzle Categories)*

Select all applicable categories for your puzzle; each image should have its own category applied.

Tags

Tags are optional, but offer a way to add extra details about the puzzle. These can include:

• country
  of origin
• specific themes (E.g. cats, unicorns, landscapes)
• image descriptors
• other attributes not covered by standard fields
  
  

To add a tag: After typing a tag, press space to convert it into an active tag.

To delete your tag: Either press backspace or click/tap the small x on the tag

Rating / Difficulty / Review (only for puzzles you have personally completed)

• Rating: Select 1 - 5 stars (1 = not very good to 5 = excellent!)
• Difficulty: Select 1 - 5 difficulty icons (1 = very easy to 5 = extremely challenging)
• Review: Write your own, personal review of the puzzle

Tick boxes

• I completed this puzzle – adds the puzzle to your completed folder
• Add to my wishlist – saves the puzzle to your wishlist folder

Width / Height / Unit (Puzzle Dimensions)

Enter the puzzle's completed dimensions in inches or centimetres - helpful for checking if it fits your puzzle board.

• Dimensions are typically found on the side or bottom of the box

• For multi-puzzle sets with different-sized puzzles, refer to: How to enter a Multi-puzzle

Name of artist/ photographer/ designer

If the puzzle box credits an artist, photographer, or designer, enter their name here. This helps fellow puzzlers find works from their favourite creators in the IPDb App

Secondary artist

If the puzzle box credits more than one artist, photographer, or designer, enter the name here. 

Name of collection

Many puzzles belong to a collection (E.g., Clementoni’s 'Museum Collection' or 'Travel Collection'). If applicable, enter the collection name - otherwise, leave it blank.

Release year

Some puzzles are re-released in later years, so the year can help identify when a puzzle was manufactured. This is usually printed on the side or back of the box, although not all puzzles provide this information.

Real # of pieces

Did you know that a puzzle's actual piece count might differ from the number printed on the front of the box? Well, NEWS FLASH! Depending on the brand, a 1000-piece puzzle could have 999, 1000, 1008, 1026 or even another unexpected total!

Sometimes, this is also mentioned on the box (on the side, the back, or even on the inside of the lid as Clementoni often does). If you find the exact piece count, please add it here.

For Multi-puzzle Sets:  If your box contains puzzles with different piece counts, refer to How to enter a Multi-puzzle for detailed instructions.

Puzzle Shape

Select the appropriate puzzle shape from the drop-down menu. The shape Panoramic can be used both for vertical and horizontal images and is ingeneral an indication of the ratio in between the 2 side is equal or greater than 2

Puzzle Cut

Puzzle cuts vary, and selecting the correct type can help fellow puzzlers find the style they prefer.

There are 3 main cuts + irregular:
Grid: This is exactly what the word means - all pieces are aligned in a grid pattern. Pieces align BOTH horizontally and vertically, forming a true grid pattern where all corners meet precisely. Each column will have the same number of pieces, and so, each row. This format was traditionally used by most mainland European brands.
Pieces don't need to have a square shape - the only requirement is that all corners of the pieces meet up with the corners of all adjacent pieces.  Nor do they need to be all the standard same shape.  They can be any of the standard grid cut shapes (see shapes in the image below).  

Ribbon: Similar to a grid cut (and often incorrectly attributed as such), but with a key difference - pieces align in only one direction (either horizontally or vertically). As a result, some corners won’t meet precisely on both axes, creating a ribbon-like effect either horizontally or vertically. This cut was once common in UK brands and only few brands still use this cut these days.

Random: These puzzles feature irregular and unpredictable shapes, possibly including whimsical pieces. They lack a consistent pattern, making each piece distinct. Random cuts are popular in wooden puzzles and puzzles manufactured in the USA, although the popularity of this cut has increased in recent years.

Material

While cardboard is the standard material used in most puzzles, puzzles also come in wooden variations, which have a dedicated fanbase. There are also other materials, such as plastic, cork, foam, etc. The drop-down list provides a selection of common materials.

Special Features

Many puzzles include unique features which may or may not apply to all designs. You can select multiple options from the drop-down menu.

💡 For Multi-Puzzles: Refer to How to enter a Multi-puzzle for additional instructions on how to add all the separate puzzles in the set.