How to Play Kakuro

THE PLAYBOOK · NMGAFT

How to play Kakuro

Bring your attention to one round of Kakuro. Complete a 4×4 sum grid with digits 1–9, no repeats in any row or column, and the displayed totals. Check the relevant rule before repeating a move. Identify the playing area and the controls you need. Keep the game area visible while you use its controls.

Practise sums on twelve small, unblocked 4×4 grids. These teaching boards use whole-row and whole-column totals rather than the blocked runs of classic Kakuro.

Make the controls familiar

Locate the buttons and input area before beginning a long round. Use the on-screen labels to avoid an accidental restart. Make the next step deliberately.

Your goal

Complete a 4×4 sum grid with digits 1–9, no repeats in any row or column, and the displayed totals. An attractive position is not enough unless the goal is met. Review the board or playing area as it changes.

Step by step

1. Compare a row total with its fixed entries.
2. Use the column total for the same blank.
3. Enter digits 1–9.
4. Check puzzle verifies totals and non-repetition.

Controls

Click or tap squares or graph edges. Number boards include a digit pad. Undo reverses the previous change; Check puzzle validates the solution. Keep the playing area visible while using these controls. Check any mode label before starting.

A useful example

A row total 18 with fixed values 2, 4 and 7 requires 5 in the remaining cell. Compare this with the rule that governs the move. Take a moment to compare.

Watch out for this

Repeated digits in a run are forbidden even when the sum matches. Compare the situation with the worked example. After a move, check what changed. Decide which rule explains the new state before acting again.

Common questions