How to play Halve
Halve gives you a shape and one straight line. Cut it so both pieces are exactly the same size. You get one try per shape.
The basics
- Drag one line. Drag straight across the shape where you think the middle is, and let go. The line must cross the whole shape.
- Watch it split. The two pieces pull apart and Halve measures each one. Your score is how close you came to a perfect 50/50.
- See the perfect cut. After each cut, green dots mark where a line at the same angle would have split the shape exactly in half. This shows you how far off you were and which way.
- Share your day. Copy your result for a group chat. New cuts arrive at midnight, and everyone gets the same ones.
Scoring
Each cut is scored out of 100. A cut that leaves 50% on each side scores 100, and every percentage point the bigger piece is over 50% costs two points. So a 49/51 split scores 98, and a 45/55 split, which can look perfectly fair on screen, scores 90. Your daily score is the average across the day’s cuts.
Halve keeps track of your streak (the number of days in a row you’ve played) and your best scores on your own device. Nothing is sent to a server.
The five daily modes
Shapes
Abstract outlines with no real-world hints to lean on. Good for warming up your eye.
Things
Everyday objects such as tools, furniture, food and vehicles, drawn as flat silhouettes.
Landmarks
Famous buildings and structures. Tall spires and wide bases make these harder than they look.
Animals
Animal silhouettes, from long-necked giraffes to compact beetles. Tails and legs carry less area than you’d think.
3D Objects
Solid objects you can turn before you cut. These split by volume, not by how much of the screen they cover, so thick parts count for more than they look.
Playing against other people
Same shapes. You and an opponent cut the same 10 shapes at your own pace. Each round goes to the more accurate cut, and whoever wins the most rounds wins. Average accuracy breaks a tie.
Draw & cut. Each of you draws a closed shape in 20 seconds, then you swap and get 10 seconds to cut the other player’s shape. Best of three rounds. Drawing a lopsided shape makes it harder for your opponent.
Play with a friend. Send a link or a six-letter code. Your friend opens it and you both land in a lobby where you can choose the game.
Tips for a better cut
Look for symmetry first
If a shape is mirror-symmetric, the mirror line cuts it exactly in half. Many objects, buildings and animals viewed head-on are nearly symmetric, so find that axis before anything else.
Pick your angle, then slide
For any angle you choose, there is exactly one line at that angle that halves the area. So decide the angle first (an angle that crosses the shape’s narrowest part is often easiest to judge), then concentrate on sliding the line to the right place.
The middle is not the centre of the box
Your eye tends to aim for the middle of the shape’s outline, but area is what counts. A shape with a heavy end needs the cut moved towards that end. Picture pouring the shape into a jar: where would the level sit?
Thin parts are lighter than they look
Tails, antennae, poles and spires stretch a shape a long way without adding much area. Mentally trim them, then halve what’s left, then nudge back slightly towards the thin part.
Cut across short distances
A line across the narrow part of a shape changes the split slowly as you move it, which makes small errors cost less. A line along the long axis is more sensitive: a few pixels move a lot of area.
In 3D, think about thickness
For 3D objects, turn the object to an angle where you can see its depth. A thick handle or base holds far more volume than a thin flat part of the same screen size.
Learn from the green dots
After every cut, compare your line to the green dots. If you keep landing on the same side (for example, always too close to the heavy end), correct for it next time.
Frequently asked questions
Is Halve free?
Yes. Halve is free to play in any modern browser, on phones, tablets and computers. There is nothing to install and no account to create.
When do new puzzles come out?
Every day at midnight in your local time. Each mode gets new cuts, and everyone plays the same ones that day.
Can I play yesterday’s puzzles?
Not at the moment. Each day stands on its own so scores stay comparable.
Why didn’t my cut count?
A cut has to go all the way across the shape and split it into two pieces. A line that stops inside the shape, or misses it, doesn’t cut.
Why is online play not connecting?
Online play connects the two browsers directly. Some strict workplace, school or mobile networks block those connections. Try another network, or a different browser.