How to Play Shadow Match
Shadow Match is a free 3D spatial puzzle. A 3D object floats above the ground and casts a live shadow. Your job is to rotate the object until its shadow matches the target silhouette shown in the corner of the screen. It needs a browser with WebGL, which all recent versions of Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Edge include.
Controls
- Drag with one finger, or left-click drag, to rotate the object.
- Two fingers, or right-click drag, rotate the camera around the scene. Pinch or scroll to zoom.
- Double-tap or press Reset to return the object to its starting rotation.
- Undo takes back your last rotation, and Hint nudges the object toward the answer. You start with 3 hints.
Scoring, levels and daily puzzle
- The level completes automatically when your shadow reaches 90% accuracy.
- Stars: 90% or more earns 1 star, 95% or more earns 2, and a 100% match earns 3.
- Progression: levels 1 to 20 use simple shapes, levels 21 to 50 and 51 to 100 bring more complex ones, and from level 101 extra twists appear, such as a second object, a moving light or a timer.
- The Daily button gives you one mystery object per day, the same for everyone, and counts your streak.
Tips for a higher score
- Rotate one axis at a time. Match the overall width and height of the shadow first, then fine-tune the details.
- Look for the longest edge. Matching the most distinctive part of the silhouette gets you most of the way there.
- Use the camera. Viewing the shape from a new angle makes it easier to understand how it will project.
- Save hints for harder levels. Winning without a hint or undo also unlocks achievements.
For the full walkthrough with every rule and strategy, read the Shadow Match how-to-play guide. More free titles are on the games page.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shadow Match free to play?
Yes. It runs in your browser with no download or login.
Why does it say WebGL is not supported?
The game draws in 3D with WebGL. Update your browser or try Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge.
Is my progress saved?
Yes, your level, stats and settings are saved locally in your browser. Clearing site data resets them.
Does the daily puzzle change?
Yes. A new mystery object appears each day and your streak counts consecutive days.