A SHORT GUIDE
How to play Kakurasu
Fill squares so every row and column adds up to its target. The numbers around the grid are weights: where a square sits determines what it is worth.
Rows use column weights.
In this four-column row, filling columns 1 and 3 gives a total of 4. You have filled two squares, but their value is not two.
A row target of 10 on a 4×4 grid needs all four columns: 1 + 2 + 3 + 4.
Columns use row weights.
Looking down a column, filling rows 2 and 4 makes a total of 6. The column’s own number does not change that sum.
One square at row 2, column 4 adds 4 to its row and 2 to its column.
Both directions must agree.
A row target of 3 could use column 3 alone, or columns 1 and 2. Use the column targets to decide which choice fits. Matching one row is a useful step; a solved puzzle matches every row and every column.
- Look for an unavoidable combination. On a 4×4 grid, a target of 1 needs the weight-1 square. A target of 9 needs weights 2, 3 and 4.
- Check the other direction before committing. A filled cell cannot make either total exceed its target.
- When a row or column is complete, mark its remaining empty squares with ×. These marks are optional notes and add no weight.
Each Weightsprout puzzle has exactly one solution. The daily edition is the same for everyone on a given UTC date and rotates through 60 original 4×4 puzzles, repeating every 60 days. Gentle and Steady practice use 4×4 grids; Focused practice adds a fifth row and column.
Fill, mark, adjust.
Choose Fill and tap a square to select it. Tap again to undo that selection. Choose Mark empty to leave a × instead. A right-click also toggles an empty mark.
Undo reverses your latest board change. Clear empties the board and can itself be undone. Reveal a cell shows one correct cell, fixing an incorrect mark first. A revealed cell stays counted as a hint even if you undo it.
Use arrows to move the keyboard focus. Enter or Space uses your selected tool; F fills, X marks empty, and Delete clears that cell.
Current / target.
The small number is your current weighted total; the bold number is the target. Matching totals turn green. A total above its target turns orange-red so you can revisit that row or column.
Daily and practice progress are saved separately in this browser when browser storage is available. Changing practice level or choosing New puzzle starts a fresh practice board. If a new UTC day begins while you play, finish your open daily board or choose “Play today’s puzzle.” Reopening keeps the saved daily. Replacing an unfinished daily asks for confirmation.
Your game does not need an account. If saving is unavailable, you can keep playing in the open tab.