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Understand the basics of Kakurasu

Build familiarity through play

Tap cells to mark or clear them. Current totals are displayed alongside the target totals. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.

What the game asks you to do

A careful first move helps you understand the round. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.

Follow these playing steps

  1. A 5×5 grid shows target sums at the right and bottom.
  2. A marked cell contributes its column number to its row sum, and its row number to its column sum.
  3. Tap cells to mark or clear them. Current totals are displayed alongside the target totals.
  4. Match all rows and columns to complete the puzzle. Each generated puzzle is checked to have one solution.

How to use the controls

The board gives you the information needed for the next action. 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

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. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.

Pay attention to this rule

The board gives you the information needed for the next action. The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.

Game-specific help

When I start, what is the aim of Kakurasu?

Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.

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. The controls work with mouse or touch.

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. No download or player account is required.

On this page, which mistake should I avoid?

The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.

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. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.

During a round, how many people can play here?

Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. You can start a new round from the game controls.

On this page, what does a marked square contribute?

Its column number to the row total, and its row number to the column total. You can start a new round from the game controls.

For this game, 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.

During a round, does each generated puzzle have one solution?

The generator searches the row-mask combinations and only accepts a puzzle with exactly one solution. Scores here do not represent cash or prizes.

When I start, 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.