Game guide · WTJPY
The essentials of playing Kakurasu
Check the rule below as you play. 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
The board gives you the information needed for the next action. Tap cells to mark or clear them. Current totals are displayed alongside the target totals. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
Your goal
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your 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.
Your inputs
Check the rule below as you play. 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.
An example before you play
The example and rules describe the same game you can play above. 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 example and rules describe the same game you can play above. 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.
Read these answers for extra help
On this page, what is the aim of Kakurasu?
Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. No download or player account is required.
For this 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 controls work with mouse or touch.
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.
When I start, which mistake should I avoid?
The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares. You can start a new round from the game controls.
On this page, 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. You can start a new round from the game controls.
On this page, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. No download or player account is required.
For this game, what does a marked square contribute?
Its column number to the row total, and its row number to the column total. No download or player account is required.
During a round, why can row and column contributions differ?
A square in row 2, column 5 contributes 5 to its row and 2 to its column. No download or player account is required.
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. The controls work with mouse or touch.
