KenKen

How to Play KenKen

The published rules, unchanged — created by Tetsuya Miyamoto.

The Goal

Fill every cell with a number so that each row and each column contains every number from 1 to the grid size exactly once — like a mini Sudoku, but with no boxes. On top of that, the numbers inside each bold-outlined cage must combine, using the operation shown, to equal that cage's target number.

A 3×3 example: the top-left cage (1+2) sums to 6, the middle-left pair differs by 3, and so on.

The Rules

• Grid size n means the digits 1 to n — a 4×4 grid uses 1–4, a 6×6 grid uses 1–6.
• Every row contains each number exactly once. Every column contains each number exactly once.
• The grid is divided into cages. Each cage shows a target number, and — if it has more than one cell — an operation (+, −, ×, ÷) in its top-left cell.
• A single-cell cage just shows a number: that's the exact value that must go there.
• + and × cages can span two or more cells — add or multiply all the cage's values together to hit the target.
• − and ÷ cages always have exactly two cells — subtract the smaller from the larger, or divide the larger by the smaller, to hit the target.
• Numbers CAN repeat within a cage — the only rule about repeats is no repeats in the same row or column.

Playing

• Select a cell, then type a number or tap it on the number pad.
• There's no live right/wrong feedback while you play — solve it with logic, not trial and error. Use Check Answers whenever you want a progress read.
• Check Answers marks filled cells green or red without revealing the correct number.
• Reveal Solution shows the full answer and ends the current attempt.
• Use Pause to freeze the timer, and Save Game to store your progress and resume later.

Reveal the solution?

This fills in the complete answer and ends your current attempt. It won't count as a solve, and your timer will stop.

KenKen Solved!

Every row, column, and cage checks out.