PicDoughPlay free →How to play PicDough
Three dots. One funny face. 45 seconds to match it.
PicDough is a free photo stretching and face-matching game you play in your browser. Match the orange character to a target, try the daily challenge, or send a friend a score to beat. No account or app download is needed.
Your first round
- Choose Play. Press Play · 45s. A three-second countdown gives you time to get ready.
- Match the target. Drag the numbered dots for the eyes and smile. Each dot settles into a nearby stop when you let go. Move them independently and use Undo if you overshoot.
- Reveal your score. Your score stays hidden until time runs out or you select Reveal score. Try the same target again or move to the next one.
Choose your game mode
- Play
- Pick from eight targets and try to beat your best score on this browser. For untimed practice with a live score, open Round options and turn on Practice.
- Daily
- Everyone gets the original orange and the same target for that UTC date. A new daily challenge starts at midnight UTC. You can replay it.
- Friends
- Send a challenge link across devices, or choose Pass & play for two to four players taking turns on one device.
- Free play
- Choose your own photo, stretch it any way you like, and save your creation as a PNG. Undo, redo, and reset help you experiment.
Challenge a friend on another device
Play a round with the original orange, then choose Challenge a friend. Add an optional nickname and send the link by text, chat, or email. You can also use Friends → Send this target before playing.
Your friend opens the link and gets the same target and play style, along with your score to beat if you included one. They can send a result link back. You do not need to be online together. Scores are self-reported for friendly competition, not verified rankings. Personal photos are never included in challenge links.
How scoring works
PicDough compares the shape and visible picture details against the target. Closer matches earn more points; matching the target earns 100. An untouched image earns partial credit rather than an automatic zero. Stretching unrelated areas can reduce your score. It is a game estimate rather than a human judgment.
Best scores stay in this browser and are tracked by photo and target. Practice scores stay separate from competitive bests. There is no online leaderboard or automatic score synchronization.
Controls that work for you
Use a mouse or touch to drag a numbered dot. For an alternative, enable Tap, then tap under Photo & controls: choose the dot, then its destination.
With the picture focused, press 1, 2, or 3 to select a dot, Enter to pick it up, arrow keys to move it, and Enter to set it down. Escape cancels. Ctrl/Cmd + Z undoes; Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Z redoes.
For advanced stretching, Round options → Freeform challenge lets you stretch anywhere. Photo & controls offers Smart, Detail, Broad, and Custom grab styles. Free play gives you a movable keyboard crosshair instead of the three-dot controls.
Photos and privacy
Chosen photos are processed on your device; the game does not upload them to a server. Refreshing clears your photo and edits, so use Save PNG first if you want to keep a creation. Clearing browser site data removes saved best scores and daily attempt counts. Optional nicknames can be remembered locally.
Need a hand?
If the game cannot load, try Reload when offered. JavaScript and working WebGL graphics are required. You can contact PicDough at picdough@gmail.com.