Game guide · HBYDMS
Kakurasu: instructions and practice
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Keep the goal in mind before your next move. A 5×5 grid shows target sums at the right and bottom. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Generated 5×5 puzzles with an exact row-mask search for uniqueness before publication to the board. No calibrated difficulty labels.
Build familiarity through play
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. Tap cells to mark or clear them. Current totals are displayed alongside the target totals. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Your objective
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
How a round unfolds
- A 5×5 grid shows target sums at the right and bottom.
- A marked cell contributes its column number to its row sum, and its row number to its column sum.
- Tap cells to mark or clear them. Current totals are displayed alongside the target totals.
- Match all rows and columns to complete the puzzle. Each generated puzzle is checked to have one solution.
How your actions work
Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board. The game area remains available above the explanation.
One way to understand the rules
Read the position before choosing your next action. Marking columns 2 and 5 in the same row gives that row a total of 7. A mark in row 3 contributes 3 to its column. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Pay attention to this rule
Check the rule below as you play. The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
Questions that come up during play
During a round, what is the aim of Kakurasu?
Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. A new round resets the current game.
How do the controls work?
Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board. The instructions above use these same rules.
For this game, can you show an example?
Marking columns 2 and 5 in the same row gives that row a total of 7. A mark in row 3 contributes 3 to its column. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
For this game, which mistake should I avoid?
The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares. The controls work with mouse or touch.
What rules and limits are used here?
Generated 5×5 puzzles with an exact row-mask search for uniqueness before publication to the board. No calibrated difficulty labels. No download or player account is required.
During a round, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. A new round resets the current game.
What does a marked square contribute?
Its column number to the row total, and its row number to the column total. The instructions above use these same rules.
On this page, why can row and column contributions differ?
A square in row 2, column 5 contributes 5 to its row and 2 to its column. The game is played locally in your browser.
Does each generated puzzle have one solution?
The generator searches the row-mask combinations and only accepts a puzzle with exactly one solution. No download or player account is required.
For this game, can I clear a square?
Yes. Tap a marked square again, or use Undo. The game is played locally in your browser.