LinkedIn Pinpoint Answer for February 18, 2026
LINKEDIN PINPOINT CLUES
February 18, 2026
Ball
Point
Wheel
Hole
The tail on the donkey
Clue Meanings Explained
For each clue, we have to look at the literal meaning before we can see the hidden pattern.
Ball
This refers to a solid or hollow spherical object, typically used in various sports and games, or as a structural component in machinery.
Point
This is the sharp or tapered end of an object, or a specific, precise location or stage within a process or map.
Wheel
A circular object that revolves on an axle and is fixed below a vehicle or other object to enable it to move easily over the ground.
Hole
A hollow place in a solid body or surface, or an opening through something that allows light, air, or objects to pass through.
The tail on the donkey
This refers to a specific paper accessory used in a traditional children's party game where participants try to attach a "tail" to a poster while blindfolded.
Hey there! If you jumped into today's LinkedIn Pinpoint game, you probably realized pretty quickly that the puzzle setters were playing a very clever game of "connect the dots"—or in this case, "connect the pins." As an analyst who looks at these puzzles daily, I found today’s set to be a classic example of how the game uses a mix of physical objects and abstract concepts to lead you to a common prefix. Let’s break down the clues and look at the logic that ties this whole thing together.
The Solve: A Tale of Wrong Turns
When I first saw the clue Ball, my mind went in a dozen different directions. I thought about sports, of course—soccer, basketball, or maybe even "round" things. I wasn't quite ready to commit to a category yet because "Ball" is just too broad. I thought maybe the category was "Spheres" or "Games."
Then the second clue, Point, popped up. This is where the gears started turning. I tried to combine them. "Ballpoint" was the first thing that hit me. If the answer was "Pen," it would make sense. A ballpoint pen has a point. But I stayed cautious. Is "Point" just a synonym for "Tip"? I submitted "Pen" as a guess just to see, and I was wrong. That’s when I realized I needed to look for a word that could *precede* both.
The third clue, Wheel, changed the game entirely. "Pen-wheel" isn't a thing, but "Pinwheel" definitely is. I looked back at the first two clues with this new lens. "Pinball?" Yes, that’s a classic. "Pinpoint?" Absolutely, that’s a very common verb and noun. Now I was almost certain the connection was the word "Pin."
By the time Hole appeared as the fourth clue, I didn't even have to hesitate. "Pinhole" cameras and "pinhole" leaks are common terms. It perfectly matched the pattern of "Words that come after Pin." It was the final confirmation I needed to be 100% sure of the theme.
Just for fun, I waited for the fifth clue: The tail on the donkey. This is the most literal clue of the bunch. You can’t play that game without "pinning" the tail. It was the "giveaway" clue that ensured anyone who hadn't figured it out by clue four would definitely get it now. I typed in the answer, and it was a wrap!
Lessons Learned From Today's Pinpoint Solution
Look for Compound Word Starters: Many Pinpoint puzzles rely on a common word that can be tacked onto the front of the clues to create new compound words (like Pinball or Pinwheel).
Re-evaluate Previous Clues: When a new clue doesn't fit your first theory, go back to the start. "Ball" seemed like a sport, but once "Wheel" appeared, it had to be a component of a larger word.
Identify Phrases and Idioms: Clues like "The tail on the donkey" are idiomatic or specific to cultural games. These are usually the strongest clues because they have a very limited set of associations.
Don't Guess Too Early: It’s tempting to guess "Sports" after seeing "Ball," but Pinpoint often uses broad terms early on to lead you into a trap. Waiting for the third clue usually reveals the true linguistic pattern.
Expert Q&A
Why is "The tail on the donkey" considered a clue for "Pin"?
The entire premise of the party game is "Pin the tail on the donkey." In this context, "Pin" is the action verb required to interact with the object mentioned in the clue, fitting the "words that follow Pin" theme.
Could the answer have been "Sharp things" based on Point and Hole?
While "Point" and "Hole" (made by a needle) relate to sharpness, "Wheel" and "Ball" don't fit that category at all. Pinpoint requires a single theme that links every single clue perfectly.
Is "Pinpoint" itself a clue within the game about the game?
It’s a bit meta, isn't it? "Pinpoint" is actually the name of the game and one of the answers (Pin + Point). The developers often include "easter eggs" like this where the name of the game itself becomes part of the daily puzzle.
How do "Ball" and "Pin" relate in a professional context?
Beyond the game Pinball, "Pin" and "Ball" are often used in engineering (ball pins) or in the term "ball-and-pin" joints. However, for this puzzle, the most common association is the arcade game.