How to Play Kakuro

Kakuro is a number-logic puzzle that combines elements of Sudoku and crosswords. Each puzzle looks like a crossword grid filled with numbers instead of words. Your goal is to fill every white cell with digits 1–9 so each group adds up to the clue shown at its edge.

Basic rules

• Each horizontal or vertical run of white cells must add up to the clue number shown in the adjacent black cell.
• No number may repeat within the same run.
• Digits range from 1 to 9 only.

How to start

Begin with small sums or short runs that have very few combinations — for example, a clue of 3 across two cells must be 1 and 2. Use basic combinations and elimination to fill in obvious spots.

Solving strategies

• Cross-referencing: Check where horizontal and vertical runs overlap — those shared cells must satisfy both clues.
• Combination lists: Memorize or reference the few possible digit sets for each clue length (e.g., 16 in two cells must be 7 and 9).
• Elimination: If a number can’t appear in one cell due to overlap, remove it from the options.

Winning the puzzle

The puzzle is solved when all runs match their sums with no repeated digits. Every valid Kakuro has exactly one correct solution found through logic, not guessing.

💡 Tip: Think of Kakuro as a numeric crossword — each clue interacts with others. Building confidence with small grids helps before moving to larger challenges.