Sharpen your brain.
Find your calm.
Kakuro is a number crossword puzzle that mixes simple math with pure logic. No guessing. No luck. Just you and the numbers. KakuroZen brings you puzzle books, a free app, and everything you need to get started.
Free to download. No account needed. Works offline.
Play Today's Kakuro Free
No download needed. Solve a new Kakuro puzzle every day — right in your browser. Grids from 6×6 to 12×12.
What is Kakuro?
Kakuro is a number puzzle that looks like a crossword grid. Instead of words, you fill in digits from 1 through 9. Each row and column has a clue number that tells you what the digits must add up to. The catch: you cannot repeat a digit in any single sum. It sounds simple, but it takes real thought. Kakuro has been popular in Japan since the 1960s and spread worldwide through puzzle magazines and newspapers. Today, millions of people play it on paper and on their phones. If you enjoy Sudoku, you will love Kakuro. It uses the same kind of logic but adds arithmetic, which makes it a better brain workout. You do not need to be good at math. If you can add single-digit numbers, you can play. Most people learn the rules in under five minutes and get hooked on the first puzzle.
How Kakuro works
Four simple rules. That is all you need to start solving.
Fill in the grid
Place digits 1 through 9 in the white cells. Black cells with numbers are your clues. They tell you what the white cells in that row or column must add up to.
Match the sums
Each clue has a target number. The digits you place must add up to that number exactly. A clue of 16 in a three-cell run might be 9 + 4 + 3, for example.
No repeats allowed
Within a single clue run, you cannot use the same digit twice. This constraint is what makes Kakuro a logic puzzle, not just arithmetic.
Use elimination
Start with the smallest and largest clues. A sum of 3 in two cells can only be 1 + 2. A sum of 17 in two cells can only be 8 + 9. These give you a foothold.
Kakuro vs Sudoku
Both are number puzzles. But Kakuro adds arithmetic, which makes it a stronger brain workout.
| Feature | Kakuro | Sudoku |
|---|---|---|
| Uses math | Yes (addition) | No |
| Grid shape | Irregular (like a crossword) | Fixed 9x9 |
| Clue type | Sum targets in each run | No clues — just given digits |
| Digits used | 1 through 9 | 1 through 9 |
| Repeat rule | No repeats per sum run | No repeats per row, column, box |
| Difficulty range | Wide (4x4 to 16x16+) | Moderate (always 9x9) |
| Brain areas trained | Arithmetic + logic + pattern | Logic + pattern |
A new puzzle every day
The KakuroZen app gives you a fresh puzzle each morning. Easy on Monday. Expert on Friday. Your streak counter keeps you coming back.
New daily puzzle
Fresh puzzle at midnight your time. Five difficulty levels across the week.
Track your streak
Build a streak by solving one puzzle per day. Your best streak is saved.
Unlimited practice
The daily puzzle is just the start. Practice mode has thousands more.
KakuroZen puzzle books
Six volumes on Amazon. 500+ puzzles each. From easy to expert.
KakuroZen: Easy
Perfect for beginners. Small grids, low sums, and plenty of room to learn the basics.
KakuroZen: Medium
Bigger grids and trickier sums. You know the rules — now build your speed.
KakuroZen: Hard
Complex grids with multiple solution paths. Good for daily solvers who want a challenge.
KakuroZen: Expert
The toughest puzzles we make. Large grids, tight constraints, and zero easy wins.
KakuroZen: Large Print
Same great puzzles, bigger numbers. Easy on the eyes with extra writing space.
KakuroZen: Giant (300+ Puzzles)
A mix of all difficulty levels in one thick book. Great value for puzzle lovers.
Why Kakuro is good for your brain
Number puzzles keep your mind active. Kakuro works more brain areas than most puzzles because it combines arithmetic with logic.
Mental math practice
Every clue forces you to add, subtract, and compare numbers. You get faster at mental arithmetic without drilling flash cards.
Working memory boost
You hold multiple possible combinations in your head while you test each one. This exercises your short-term memory in a natural way.
Pattern recognition
Experienced solvers spot common combinations instantly. A 24 in three cells is always 7 + 8 + 9. Your brain builds a library of these patterns.
Focus and flow state
Kakuro demands your full attention. That deep focus pushes out stress and worry. Many solvers describe it as meditative.
Logical reasoning
Each cell is a small deduction problem. If this cell is 3, then that cell must be 5, which means the next cell is 1. It trains the same skill set as programming.
Healthy aging
Studies show that regular puzzle solving is linked to better cognitive function in older adults. Kakuro is a low-cost, no-equipment way to stay sharp.
What puzzle solvers are saying
“I switched from Sudoku to Kakuro two years ago and never looked back. The math element makes it so much more rewarding.”
David M.
Daily solver
“My grandmother does the large print book every morning with her coffee. She says it keeps her mind working better than any vitamin.”
Rachel K.
Bought for family
“The app is perfect for my commute. One puzzle on the train in, one on the train home. Clean design and no annoying ads.”
James L.
App user
Common questions
Is Kakuro harder than Sudoku?
It depends on the puzzle size and difficulty. Easy Kakuro grids are about as hard as a medium Sudoku. Expert Kakuro can be much harder because you need both logic and arithmetic.
Do I need to be good at math?
No. You only need to add single-digit numbers. If you can figure out that 3 + 4 = 7, you can play Kakuro. Speed comes with practice.
What age is Kakuro good for?
Kids as young as 8 can solve easy Kakuro grids. Adults and seniors enjoy it at every level. The large print books are popular with people over 60.
Is the app really free?
Yes. The daily puzzle and your first 50 practice puzzles are free. You can unlock unlimited puzzles with a one-time purchase.
What is the difference between the books?
Each book targets a different difficulty level. Easy has small grids and low sums. Expert has large grids and tight constraints. The Giant book has a mix of everything.
Can I print Kakuro puzzles for free?
Yes. Our printable page has free Kakuro puzzles you can download as PDFs. New puzzles are added each week.
Start solving today
Pick up a book, download the app, or print a free puzzle. Your brain will thank you.