The answer is 140 squares.
Most people count the little squares, get to 49, and stop — but a grid hides squares of EVERY size, and every single one of them counts. Work through it size by size:
- Size 1 (the little ones): 7 × 7 = 49
- Size 2: they fit 6 across and 6 down = 36
- Size 3: 5 positions across and 5 down = 25
- Size 4: 4 positions across and 4 down = 16
- Size 5: 3 positions across and 3 down = 9
- Size 6: 2 positions across and 2 down = 4
- Size 7 (the whole grid itself): 1
Now add them up: 49 + 36 + 25 + 16 + 9 + 4 + 1 = 140.
Here’s the pattern that makes it click: each size’s count is just a square number — 49, 36, 25, 16, 9, 4, 1 are 7², 6², 5², 4², 3², 2², 1². And here’s the trap: the jump from our 6×6 game (91) to this 7×7 (140) is 49 squares — because you didn’t just add a row of little squares, you added a whole new family of every size. If you only found 49, you counted the bricks and forgot the buildings they make.
Did you land on 140, or did the grid stop you at 49? Be honest in the comments — and watch our page for tomorrow’s counting game.
Tell us in the comments below - we read every single one, and the best takes get featured.
