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About Kakuro Puzzles

Kakuro Puzzle Rules

The rules of Kakuro Puzzles are as follows:

Here is an image of the start position of a kakuro puzzle:

Kakuro Puzzle

So, what do the rules mean? Well, take a look at the example kakuro above. All the sum totals are given in green squares, and they point in either an across or down direction. The first square in row two contains the number 8. This tells you that the three white squares next to it (an across run of three squares) sum to 8. We know we can use numbers 1-9 only and we cannot repeat a number, so that rules out 2,4,2 for instance as an option, as whilst that sums to eight, it requires us to repeat a 2, which is against the rules. We must use logic and our mathematical knowledge (mental arithmetic) to work out the options for each run of squares, and then cross-reference possible values to gradually make progress and enable us to solve the puzzle.

If you would like a visual explanation of the rules, here is a video outlining the kakuro rules as explained above:

Play A Sample Kakuro Puzzle

If you'd like to have a go at solving the example puzzle shown in our sample image above (the video uses a different puzzle), then you can do so for free online with our Online Kakuro Puzzle Player

If you enjoy this puzzle type, you can join our online Puzzle Connoisseur's Club for £12 or $17 a year and play a new Kakuro Puzzle puzzle every day of the year, together with many other fun and interesting logic puzzles.

Strategy and Solving Tips for Kakuro Puzzles

You won't ever need to guess to solve one of our kakuro puzzles, and all puzzles have a single unique solution. However, that doesn't mean they are easy to solve, particularly when you are first getting used to solving kakuro. Here are some tips to help you get started solving these number crosswords: