Game guide · HNSZDS
An introduction to playing Kakurasu
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Start a new round when you are ready to try again. A 5×5 grid shows target sums at the right and bottom. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Generated 5×5 puzzles with an exact row-mask search for uniqueness before publication to the board. No calibrated difficulty labels.
Bring this focus to a round
Tap cells to mark or clear them. Current totals are displayed alongside the target totals.
What you need to achieve
Read the position before choosing your next action. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. The game area remains available above the explanation.
The steps to play
- 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
Take a moment to check the current turn. 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.
See how the rules apply
A careful first move helps you understand the round. 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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
A useful caution
Use the controls beside the game rather than guessing the rules. The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares.
Answers about the rules and controls
For this game, what is the aim of Kakurasu?
Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
On this page, how do the controls work?
Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
On this page, 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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
Which mistake should I avoid?
The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares. The instructions above use these same rules.
For this game, 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. A new round resets the current game.
When I start, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
What does a marked square contribute?
Its column number to the row total, and its row number to the column total. Use the labelled controls for your next action.
When I start, why can row and column contributions differ?
A square in row 2, column 5 contributes 5 to its row and 2 to its column. A new round resets the current game.
Does each generated puzzle have one solution?
The generator searches the row-mask combinations and only accepts a puzzle with exactly one solution. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
Can I clear a square?
Yes. Tap a marked square again, or use Undo. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
