Kakuro

Kakuro is a crossword made of numbers. Black squares carry clues: the top number is the sum of the run of white squares to its right, and the bottom number is the sum of the run below. Fill each white square with a digit from 1 to 9 so that every run adds up to its clue, and no digit repeats inside a run. Every puzzle is checked for a single solution, and a few digits are given when needed. Play Kakuro free online in your browser — no download or sign-up needed.

Time 0:00Mistakes 0Best —

Fill every white square with a digit from 1 to 9. The number on a black square is the sum of the run of white squares to its right (top number) or below it (bottom number). A digit cannot repeat inside a run. Keyboard: arrows move, 1–9 enter, Backspace erases.

Game Information

Category
Puzzle Games
Players
Single player
Difficulty
Three board sizes
Game type
Numbers, Logic, Sums
Works on
Desktop and mobile browsers
Controls
  • Mouse or touch: select a white square, then tap a digit on the pad
  • Keyboard: arrow keys move, 1 to 9 enter a digit, Backspace erases
  • Keyboard: U undo, H hint, N new puzzle
Features
  • Easy, medium and hard boards
  • Every puzzle has exactly one solution
  • Highlights the run of the selected square
  • Marks repeated digits and wrong sums
  • Undo and hint
  • Best time saved for each level

How to Play Kakuro

Objective

Fill all white squares so that every run adds up to its clue.

Starting a game

Pick a level. Clues sit on the black squares; some white squares may already hold digits.

Rules

  • Use digits 1 to 9 only.
  • The digits of a run add up to the clue of that run.
  • A digit cannot repeat within a run.
  • A white square belongs to one run across and one run down.

Controls

  • Mouse or touch: select a white square, then tap a digit on the pad
  • Keyboard: arrow keys move, 1 to 9 enter a digit, Backspace erases
  • Keyboard: U undo, H hint, N new puzzle

Winning and losing

You win when every run is filled and adds up correctly. Mistakes are counted but do not end the game.

Tips and Strategies

  • Short runs have few combinations: a two-square run with sum 3 must be 1 and 2.
  • Learn the unique combinations such as 4 = 1+3, 16 = 7+9 and 24 = 7+8+9.
  • Use the crossing run to decide between two possible digits.
  • Work on the runs with the fewest possibilities first.
  • Keep the selected run highlighted to check its total as you fill it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the two numbers on a black square mean?

The number at the top right is the sum of the run to the right. The number at the bottom left is the sum of the run below.

Can digits repeat?

Not within one run, but the same digit can appear in different runs.

Do I need to guess?

No. Puzzles have exactly one solution that can be found by reasoning, with a few given digits where needed.

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