Ever counted the pieces in a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle and discovered there were more - or fewer - jigsaw puzzle pieces than expected? You’re not alone! In this episode of Puzzle Chat, we unravel the mystery behind jigsaw puzzle piece counts and why that perfect 1000-piece total isn’t always exact.

We’ll explore:

• Why puzzle manufacturers prioritize image alignment over exact piece counts
• How grid-cutting techniques create slight variations (sometimes adding or removing pieces!)
• Why puzzles might have anywhere from 970 to 1030 pieces - and why it doesn’t impact the challenge
• The marketing magic behind round numbers like "1000" on puzzle boxes

If you’ve ever wondered why your 1000-piece puzzle isn’t exactly 1000 pieces, this episode will solve the mystery! Tune in now and puzzle on!