Ready to check your answer?

The Solution: 8 Holes

Yes, you read that right—eight. Here’s the breakdown:

Two holes for the arms – One on each side for the sleeves.

One hole for the head – The neck opening at the top.

One hole at the bottom – The opening where the shirt ends.

Four holes in the fabric itself – Two in the front and two directly aligned at the back. These are visible tears or cut-outs that go all the way through the shirt.

When you add them all together:
2 (sleeves) + 1 (neck) + 1 (bottom) + 4 (front and back tears) = 8 holes in total.

Why It’s So Tricky

The reason this puzzle trips so many people up is that we tend to only count the visible holes on the front. But if a hole goes all the way through the shirt, there’s another hole in the back to account for—just like if you punched a hole through a piece of paper. It’s the same logic here.

Plus, we don’t always think of the normal openings in a t-shirt (like the sleeves or neck) as “holes,” even though that’s technically what they are. This blend of visual perception and logical reasoning is what makes the puzzle so mind-bending—and so fun!

Did You Get It Right?

If you nailed it, congratulations! You’re clearly a keen observer with a sharp mind. If not, don’t worry—you’re not alone. This puzzle has stumped thousands of people online, and part of the fun is discussing it with others.

Share this with your friends and family to see who gets it right on the first try. And let us know in the comments: How many holes did you see at first? Did your answer change the longer you looked?

Let the great t-shirt debate continue!