HINTS

A hint is a piece of information intended to help someone approach a problem, task, or decision without revealing the full solution. Hints are commonly used to support learning, problem solving, and exploration by reducing anxiety and guiding attention to relevant aspects of a task.

Hints can be direct or indirect. Direct hints state a fact or suggestion that nudges the solver toward the correct path, while indirect hints provide framing, constraints, or questions that encourage the solver to think in a particular direction without stating the answer. Hints may also vary in specificity, from broad suggestions to highly targeted nudges, and may be tiered or layered to adjust difficulty.

Common domains for hints include education, where instructors use hints to scaffold understanding; puzzles and games, where hint systems help players overcome difficult steps or manage pacing; and software interfaces, where tooltips or contextual hints help users discover features or complete tasks.

In many puzzle genres, hints are designed to be spoiler-free and optional, preserving the learning or discovery process for players who prefer a challenge.

Designing effective hints requires balancing guidance with permission to struggle, ensuring hints are accurate, timely, and accessible. Hints should avoid revealing solutions outright and consider user differences in prior knowledge and ability. Overuse or poor tailoring can reduce engagement or impede learning by bypassing essential cognitive effort.

Related concepts include clues, cues, and spoilers. See also hint systems in software, educational scaffolding, and game design.