Cut the Rope Level 18 — Cardboard Box Walkthrough (3 Stars)
Level 18★★★★★
Guide by LevelWalks
By Level 18 of Cut the Rope, you've already cleared 17 puzzles, which is exactly the moment the design starts to use that confidence against you. This one is built for players who've stopped reading the question carefully.
## Cut the Rope — Cardboard Box, Level 18
**Box:** Cardboard Box | **Level:** 18 (Cardboard Box #18)
## Walkthrough
This level uses bubbles, air cushions and candy transformers. The candy starts from the top and Om Nom is waiting at the bottom.
### Step-by-Step Solution
1. **First, observe the layout.** Look at where the candy hangs and trace a path to Om Nom. Note every rope, bubble, and obstacle.
2. **Cut the first rope** — the one holding the candy closest to the top. This drops the candy toward the first star.
3. **Use the bubbles** to redirect the candy toward the second star. Timing is important here — wait until the candy swings to its peak before activating.
4. **Collect the final star** by popping the bubble at the right moment.
5. **Guide the candy to Om Nom.** If you miss a star, the candy should still reach Om Nom — just replay for a perfect score.
### Getting All 3 Stars
- Star 1: Drops naturally when you cut the first rope.
- Star 2: Requires precise timing with the bubbles.
- Star 3: The hardest one — you need to use the bubble to float up before the candy falls past it.
## Tips for This Level
The Cardboard Box introduces bubbles which add a new dimension to your puzzle-solving. Don't rush — watch the candy's momentum and plan two moves ahead.
## Why This Level Is Tricky
The physics engine introduces momentum, gravity, and pendulum motion as core mechanics. Early levels seem simple, but the trajectory calculations that feel intuitive now become critical as complexity increases. Pay attention to how the candy swings after each cut.
## Common Mistakes
Players frequently make these errors on Level 18:
- Rushing to feed Om Nom and skipping the hardest star — getting 2 stars is easy, but the third requires a specific trick.
- Cutting a rope when the candy is at the bottom of its swing instead of the top, resulting in a shorter arc.
- Ignoring the visual hint lines that some levels display briefly at the start, showing the intended cut order.
Tips
- Cut ropes in order from top to bottom for the most control over candy movement.
- In the Cardboard Box, bubbles are key — learn their timing patterns.
- You don't need all 3 stars to progress, but replay levels later for a perfect score.
FAQ
- How do I beat Cut the Rope Level 18?
- Level 18 (Cardboard Box #18) uses bubbles, air cushions and candy transformers. Cut the ropes in sequence, collect all 3 stars by timing your cuts, and guide the candy to Om Nom. See the step-by-step walkthrough above.
- How do I get 3 stars on Cut the Rope Level 18?
- To get all 3 stars, you need to collect each star before the candy reaches Om Nom. Star 3 is usually the hardest — it requires precise timing with bubbles.
