How do I identify a 12-piece wooden puzzle?

Use the piece count together with the finished shape, seam pattern, notch layout and photographs. Piece count alone is not enough to identify an interlocking puzzle.

Is there one solution for every 12-piece wooden puzzle?

No. Different wooden puzzles can have the same number of pieces but completely different geometry and assembly sequences.

What should I do if my pieces do not match the photographs?

Do not force the assembly. Use the Crafty Puzzles Puzzle Finder or Photo Identifier to compare other archive puzzles and variants.

Identify by piece count

12-Piece Wooden Puzzle Solutions

Have a 12-piece wooden puzzle but no box or instructions? Compare the finished shape and archive photographs below, then open the matching solution.

Use Puzzle Finder Show all 12-piece puzzles

How to identify a 12-piece wooden puzzle

Count separate pieces, not visible blocks. If the puzzle is still assembled, use photographs and seam patterns as a second clue.
Match the finished shape. Current archive matches for this count include ball (2), cube (2), diamond (1), interlocking (9), star (1).
Compare the key or locking piece. A single unusual notch, pin or projecting section can distinguish two otherwise similar puzzles.
Do not force a generic solution. Open the named page only after the photograph and geometry look right.

Still unsure? Use the guided Puzzle Finder or the private Photo Identifier. Your photo is processed in your browser.

Visual identification

Known 12-piece wooden puzzles in the archive

These are separate puzzle designs. Compare the photograph, outline and seams before using an assembly sequence.

Wooden puzzleSolution

Cannon Ball

Twelve-piece solid wooden ball / sphere with interlocking burr-style pieces.

12 piecesBallAlso known as Cannonball puzzle, 12-piece wooden ball

View solution

Wooden puzzleSolution

Galileo's Globe

Twelve-piece globe puzzle from the Great Minds range.

12 piecesBallAlso known as Great Minds Galileo's Globe, wooden globe puzzle

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Wooden puzzleSolution

Cube

Twelve-piece wooden cube burr; compare external seams and notch layout.

12 piecesCubeAlso known as 12-piece wooden cube, interlocking cube burr

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Wooden burr puzzleSolution

The Chest Wooden Puzzle

Twelve-piece cube/chest form with provisional Altekruse-style comparison.

12 piecesCubeAlso known as 12-piece Altekruse burr, 12-piece burr

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Wooden puzzleSolution

Diamond 12

Twelve-piece diamond-shaped interlocking wooden puzzle.

12 piecesDiamondAlso known as 12-piece diamond, Diamond burr

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Wooden puzzleSolution

Caged Ball / Lock It Up

Twelve-piece open cage around a ball; visually different from a solid sphere.

12 piecesInterlockingAlso known as Lock It Up, Caged Ball

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Wooden puzzleSolution

Jinx / Jungle Jinx

Twelve-piece Bamboozlers / Professor Puzzle interlocking burr (PPBZ1055).

12 piecesInterlockingAlso known as Jungle Jinx, Jinx puzzle

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Wooden puzzleSolution

Maze Block

Twelve-piece Maze Block interlocking construction.

12 piecesInterlocking

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Wooden puzzleSolution

Neutron

Twelve-piece Neutron interlocking puzzle; variant matching matters.

12 piecesInterlockingAlso known as 12-piece archived Neutron

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Wooden puzzleSolution

Rocket

Twelve-piece interlocking Rocket puzzle.

12 piecesInterlocking

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Wooden puzzleSolution

Sirius / Hexagon

Twelve-piece hexagonal burr/interlocking form.

12 piecesInterlockingAlso known as Sirius, Hexagon puzzle

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Wooden puzzleSolution

Supernova

Twelve-piece Supernova; visually similar versions may use different geometry.

12 piecesInterlockingAlso known as 12-piece archived Supernova, Supernova wooden puzzle

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Wooden puzzleSolution

Tropical Teaser

Twelve-piece interlocking tropical-themed Bamboozlers puzzle.

12 piecesInterlockingAlso known as Bamboozlers Tropical Teaser, Tropical Teaser

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Wooden puzzleSolution

Wonder Block

Twelve-piece interlocking block/cube-style puzzle.

12 piecesInterlocking

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Wooden puzzleSolution

Star Urai

Twelve-piece star-form interlocking puzzle.

12 piecesStarAlso known as Star Urai, 12-piece star puzzle

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What if my 12-piece puzzle is not listed?

Older wooden puzzles were frequently sold under different names, and similar-looking versions can use different cuts. Search by shape, aliases and photographs rather than assuming the nearest name is correct.

Burr puzzle solutions · Wooden ball & sphere solutions · Wooden cube solutions · All solutions