Game guide · LOUPINWU
Understand the basics of Kakurasu
Take a moment to check the current turn. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. The game area remains available above the explanation. 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.
Bring this focus to a round
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 counts as success
Keep the goal in view while choosing a move. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Try the rule on the board, then read the next instruction.
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.
Keyboard and screen 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
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Where a round can go wrong
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. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Questions that come up during play
For this game, 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 game is played locally in your browser.
During a round, 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.
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. The game is played locally in your browser.
During a round, 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. The instructions above use these same rules.
For this game, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. A new round resets the current game.
During a round, 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.
Why can row and column contributions differ?
A square in row 2, column 5 contributes 5 to its row and 2 to its column. You can start a new round from the game controls.
For this game, does each generated puzzle have one solution?
The generator searches the row-mask combinations and only accepts a puzzle with exactly one solution. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.
When I start, can I clear a square?
Yes. Tap a marked square again, or use Undo. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.