The Jigzone: Jigsaw Lovers Unite
Update: The Kodak 51,300-piece puzzle featured in this article is currently unavailable. However, the world of giant puzzles has only gotten bigger since Kodak set the bar. We’ve updated this article with the current record holder and the other giant puzzles that have been released. Read on for the full story.
Kodak’s Record-Breaking 51,300-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
Kodak, yes that Kodak, made waves in the jigsaw puzzle world when they released what was at the time the World’s Largest Jigsaw Puzzle. Celebrating the heritage of Kodak and beautiful photography, this puzzle was unlike anything the jigsaw community had ever seen.
Celebrating the Heritage of Kodak and Beautiful Photography
27 Wonders from Around the World
Each photo was initially taken by a professional photographer, then digitally enhanced and printed in high quality. You could see the quality in every single piece. The images spanned iconic landmarks and breathtaking landscapes from every corner of the globe, including the Statue of Liberty, the Taj Mahal, the Roman Colosseum, and dozens more.
The gigantic puzzle finished at a whopping 28 1/2 x 6 1/4 feet. To put that in perspective, that’s roughly the length of a mid-sized RV. You were definitely not fitting this one on the kitchen table.
Here’s what was inside the box:
- 27 individually packaged puzzles
- 1,900 pieces each
- Each individual puzzle on its own measured 39″ x 24″
- All 27 puzzles interlocked together for a total of over 51,000 pieces (51,300 to be exact)
- From the Statue of Liberty to the Taj Mahal to the Roman Colosseum — beautiful wonders on every panel
The genius of the Kodak puzzle was that you didn’t have to commit to all 51,300 pieces at once. Each of the 27 panels worked as a completely standalone puzzle. You could build one at a time, hang them on the wall individually, frame your favorites, or go all-in and connect every single piece into the full masterpiece.
The New Record Holder: Dowdle’s “What a Wonderful World” — 60,000 Pieces
Since the Kodak puzzle’s release, the record for the world’s largest commercially available jigsaw puzzle has been broken. Dowdle’s “What a Wonderful World” now holds the crown with a staggering 60,000 pieces. When fully assembled, it measures 8 feet tall by 29 feet long — that’s nearly the length of a school bus standing on its end.
The puzzle features 187 different paintings from the Dowdle art studio, showcasing the wonders of our world — from the islands of the Pacific to the twinkling lights of Paris, the beauty of the Taj Mahal to the majesty of America’s National Parks. Like the Kodak puzzle, it’s designed to be built in sections. The 60,000 pieces are divided into 60 individually bagged 1,000-piece puzzles, each with its own reference poster. You can build them one at a time and connect them into the final panoramic masterpiece.
The Dowdle puzzle is crafted from premium blue-chip cardboard and is available directly from Dowdle’s website for $749.99. It has also been carried by Costco at a lower price point when in stock.
Educa “Around the World” — 42,000 Pieces
Educa’s “Around the World” 42,000-piece puzzle is another giant worth knowing about, though it’s also currently unavailable on Amazon. Educa has been making puzzles since 1894 and is widely regarded as one of the top puzzle manufacturers in the world.
This panoramic puzzle features a breathtaking tour of the world’s most famous landmarks and monuments. When assembled, it measures approximately 24.5 feet long by 5 feet tall — still an enormous display piece that will dominate any room it’s in.
Here’s what’s in the box:
- 42,000 total pieces packaged in 7 bags of 6,000 pieces each
- A booklet with a complete list of all monuments featured in the puzzle
- A large reference poster to guide your build
- Precision-crafted pieces manufactured in Spain
- Made with materials from well-managed forests and recycled sources
- Assembled dimensions: approximately 749 x 157 cm (24.5 ft x 5.2 ft)
The 7-bag system is a smart design choice. Each bag contains a manageable 6,000-piece section, so you can tackle the puzzle one region of the world at a time. Once all seven sections are complete, they interlock to form the full panoramic image. It’s a building approach that makes a 42,000-piece puzzle feel achievable rather than overwhelming.
If the Educa puzzle comes back in stock, it’s well worth grabbing. Keep an eye on Amazon and specialty puzzle retailers.
How the World’s Largest Puzzles Compare
| Puzzle | Pieces | Assembled Size | Sections | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dowdle “What a Wonderful World” | 60,000 | 29 ft x 8 ft | 60 x 1,000 pieces | Dowdle.shop / Costco |
| Kodak “World’s Largest” | 51,300 | 28.5 ft x 6.25 ft | 27 x 1,900 pieces | Currently unavailable |
| Educa “Around the World” | 42,000 | 24.5 ft x 5.2 ft | 7 x 6,000 pieces | Currently unavailable |
| Ravensburger “Disney Memorable Moments” | 40,320 | 22 ft x 6.3 ft | 10 x 4,032 pieces | Available — Read our review |
Practical Tips for Tackling Any Giant Puzzle
Whether you go for 40,000 pieces or 60,000, the strategy is similar. A little planning goes a long way when you’re dealing with puzzles of this scale.
Plan your workspace carefully. You’ll need a significant amount of flat surface area — far more than a standard table provides. Many builders use foam boards, large sheets of plywood, or even dedicate an entire spare room to the project. Puzzle mats and rolls can help if you need to reclaim your table between sessions.
Work one section at a time. Every giant puzzle is designed with this approach in mind. Pick a section that has colors and imagery you find appealing, complete it, enjoy the sense of accomplishment, and move to the next.
Sort by color and edge pieces first. Each section typically has its own distinct color palette and theme, which actually makes the sorting process more manageable than you might expect with thousands of pieces.
Invest in sorting trays. With thousands of pieces per section, a good set of stackable sorting trays is essential. Sort by color, by edge pieces, by distinctive pattern areas. It saves an enormous amount of time over the course of a long build.
Document your progress. A build this epic deserves to be captured. Take photos along the way — you’ll be glad you did when you look back at the journey from first piece to last. Many builders create time-lapse videos of their builds, which is incredibly satisfying to watch when the final piece clicks into place.
Consider making it a group project. Giant puzzles are perfect for families, puzzle clubs, classrooms, and community centers. Assign different sections to different people or teams, and bring everyone together for the final assembly. It’s a rewarding shared experience that creates lasting memories.
Who Are Giant Puzzles For?
Puzzles at this scale aren’t casual weekend projects — they’re commitments. Some builders spend six months to a year completing a single giant puzzle. But for the right person, that’s exactly what makes them special.
Giant puzzles are ideal for dedicated puzzle enthusiasts looking for their next serious challenge, collectors who want a truly unique display piece, families or groups looking for a long-term shared project, and anyone who appreciates art, photography, or world culture and wants to experience it piece by piece.
The finished product is genuinely stunning. Many builders frame individual sections or display the complete puzzle as wall art in game rooms, offices, community spaces, and schools.
Play Free Jigsaw Puzzles Online at The Jig Zone
Not quite ready to commit to tens of thousands of pieces? We completely understand. Visit The Jig Zone to play free online jigsaw puzzles with adjustable difficulty levels — from beginner-friendly to seriously challenging. No downloads, no sign-ups required. Just pick an image, choose your piece count, and start puzzling.
Whether you’re warming up for a giant puzzle or just want a quick puzzle break, The Jig Zone has you covered.