The New Yorker’s daily puzzle game Catalogues asks you to figure out the hidden rule behind a list, then put seven items in the right order. It’s part pattern-spotting and part trivia: the puzzle’s title can point toward the rule, and a built-in clue can help when it doesn’t.
What is Catalogues?
Catalogues is a daily sorting game from The New Yorker. The magazine’s Puzzles & Games FAQ describes it as a game in which you order seven items according to a hidden rule. The rule might be numerical, alphabetical, spatial, calendar-based, or another relationship that connects the entries.
The title is part of the puzzle. It often hints at the relationship you need to spot, rather than simply naming the list’s subject. The New Yorker’s launch announcement introduced the game as an exercise in arranging items around a hidden theme.
How to solve a round
- Read the title closely. Consider whether its wording suggests a sequence, category, wordplay, or a possible misdirection.
- Look for a shared relationship among the items. Check for a measurable order, such as alphabetical or numerical, or a relationship involving place or time.
- Decide which direction the rule requires. If the theme clearly specifies a direction—such as north to south or A to Z—put the items in that direction from top to bottom. For rules that can run either way, the game sets the direction once you correctly place both end items or three items in sequence, according to the FAQ.
- Use the Clue button if the title leaves too many possibilities. The FAQ says the button offers help with confusing titles.
Examples of the hidden rule
In a calendar-based example described in The New Yorker’s June 5, 2026 explainer, a puzzle titled “Person of the Year” involved figures such as the March sisters; the ordering rule was the month in each name. The article also describes a launch list of famous fictional cats ordered alphabetically by name. These examples show how the title and the items can work together to reveal a rule; they are not a promise that either puzzle is currently available.
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When new puzzles appear
The New Yorker’s FAQ says Catalogues is published daily and that new games appear at 6 a.m. Eastern time. The magazine’s Puzzles & Games hub listed a Catalogues puzzle dated October 8, 2026, when checked that day. The schedule and listings can change, so the hub is the place to confirm what is available now.
Where to play and what access is stated
The New Yorker points readers to its Puzzles & Games hub and to the Play tab in its app. Its FAQ specifically says app users get free access to Catalogues, Shuffalo, Laugh Lines, and the Mini Crossword. That statement is about access through the app; the sources cited here do not establish the current website access or subscription terms.
Who made Catalogues?
The game began as Order Up!, created by writer and game designer Adam Wagner. In the June 5, 2026 explainer, The New Yorker’s puzzles-and-games editor, Liz Maynes-Aminzade, said the magazine acquired the game and redesigned its mechanics and presentation. She characterized Catalogues as a mix of trivia and puzzle-solving: players need both knowledge and a way to recognize what the list’s entries have in common.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why it may appeal to puzzle fans
Catalogues is a natural fit for people who enjoy lists, trivia, and spotting patterns. Its appeal comes from working out what kind of ordering the puzzle wants—not from choosing among difficulty levels or competing versions. Maynes-Aminzade’s advice in the explainer is to learn the kinds of rules that recur, pay attention to wordplay or misdirection in titles, and practice.
Quick Recap
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- NEW YORKER MAGAZINE JIGSAW PUZZLES: The New Yorker is considered to be one of the most highly influential magazines in the world, famous for its in-depth reporting, commentary, fiction, poetry, and humor. Known for its beautifully illustrated covers, many are perfect for challenging jigsaw puzzles. New York Puzzle Company offers a curated selection of New Yorker covers in various piece counts, ranging from 100-piece mini puzzles to 500 and even 1000-piece puzzles.
- RANDOM DIE CUT PIECES: This puzzle has uniquely shaped pieces, meaning no two pieces are alike. Random cut puzzles are a great choice for a challenging and fun puzzle experience.
- MADE IN THE USA: New York Puzzle Company takes pride in the fact that each puzzle is printed, cut and boxed in the United States. You can be assured that New York Puzzle Company puzzles are a quality product made for you locally by people making a living wage.
- 1% FOR THE PLANET: New York Puzzle Company puzzles are sustainably crafted with the environment in mind. One percent of the sale of each New York Puzzle Company puzzle is pledged to environmental non-profits committed to creating a healthy planet.
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