Ruudut

Ruudut is the plural form of ruutu in Finnish and refers to individual cells in a grid, typically square but sometimes rectangular. The term is widely used to denote the smallest regularly shaped unit in a structured layout, such as a map, spreadsheet, game board, or image grid. In general, a ruutu has fixed boundaries and a position defined by row and column coordinates.

In mathematics and cartography, ruudut form the unit cells of a coordinate grid. In digital mapping and geographic information systems (GIS), grid-based representations use ruudut (cells) with associated values like elevation or land cover. The concept supports indexing, analysis, and visualization of spatial data.

In games and puzzles, ruudut describe the squares on boards such as chessboards or Sudoku grids. The arrangement into rows and columns allows rules, moves, or placements to be defined clearly, and it enables counting, pattern recognition, and scoring.

In media and screens, ruutu also means a frame of film or video—the still image that composes a sequence. A video or film consists of a sequence of ruudut (frames), and the term is commonly used in Finnish discussions of video production and playback.

In technology and user interfaces, ruutu can refer to a tile or panel in a grid layout. Such tiles can be rearranged to customize displays, dashboards, or home screens, reflecting the flexible use of the concept across digital design.