How Many Triangles Do You See in This Picture? Let’s Solve It Together

Visual puzzles like the one above often appear simple at first glance, but they can trick even the sharpest eyes. This particular brain teaser asks a straightforward question: How many triangles do you see in this picture? Yet the answer isn’t as obvious as it seems. Let’s break it down step by step and discover the hidden complexity behind this colorful geometric puzzle.

Introduction: The Appeal of Visual Puzzles

Puzzles involving shapes and patterns are more than just fun — they challenge our ability to recognize and organize visual information. They test spatial reasoning, attention to detail, and logical thinking. In this specific puzzle, we’re presented with a five-sided figure divided into multiple colored sections, and our task is to count the total number of triangles.

It sounds easy, right? But the real test lies in how well we can identify both the individual and overlapping triangles cleverly embedded within the shape.

Video: How many Triangles | Only for genius

Analyzing the Puzzle: Look Closely at the Geometry

At first glance, the image looks like a colorful pentagon made up of smaller shapes. The design features straight black lines dividing the pentagon into multiple sections — some obvious triangles, some that only appear when you combine smaller pieces.

To solve this, we must look for:

1. Simple, single triangles that are clearly outlined.
2. Composite triangles formed by joining two or more smaller ones.
3. Large outer triangles that span wider areas but are often overlooked.

This methodical approach helps avoid undercounting or double-counting.

Step-by-Step Breakdown of All 18 Triangles

Let’s count carefully.

Single Triangles (basic individual shapes):

1. Top yellow triangle
2. Top right green triangle
3. Left orange triangle
4. Center right blue triangle
5. Bottom left olive triangle
6. Bottom right orange triangle
7. Bottom center peach triangle
8. Center purple triangle

→ Total so far: 8 single triangles

Medium-sized composite triangles (formed by combining two smaller ones):

9. Top half (yellow + green)
10. Left half (orange + olive)
11. Right half (blue + orange)
12. Bottom half (olive + peach)
13. Bottom right side (orange + peach)
14. Large left diagonal triangle
15. Large right diagonal triangle

→ Adds 7 more triangles

Large Triangles (made of multiple parts or covering entire sections):

16. Entire left side (from top to bottom left corner)
17. Entire right side (from top to bottom right corner)
18. Full central triangle (constructed from center purple + surrounding parts)

→ Adds final 3 triangles

Final Answer: 18 Triangles

After a thorough breakdown, we arrive at the correct total: 18 triangles. This includes all single units, composite triangles, and the large overall shapes formed by combining smaller pieces. It’s a clever design that tricks the eye, especially if you don’t look beyond the obvious.

Video: WARNING! This Puzzle Will Mess With Your Brain–Can You Count All the Shapes?

Conclusion: More Than Meets the Eye

This triangle puzzle is a great reminder that things are not always as simple as they seem. What initially looks like a five-second task becomes an engaging challenge once you start looking beneath the surface. It teaches us to slow down, observe, and think critically — skills that are just as valuable in daily life as they are in puzzles.

So next time someone asks how many triangles you see, you’ll smile, count with confidence, and proudly say: 18.