Kakuro Techniques
Master sum-based strategies with concise explanations and targeted examples. Start with the quick wins that unlock the first few clues, then layer in deeper reasoning to dismantle late-game roadblocks.
Each guide below breaks down when to apply the method, why it works, and how to practice it on real puzzles. Mix and match them during play to keep your candidate grid honest and your progress steady.
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Build a solving routine
Warm-up
Spend five minutes reviewing the sum tables for 2–5 cell runs. Familiarity with the common totals (4-in-2 is 1+3, 17-in-3 is 1+7+9, etc.) makes in-puzzle recognition instant.
During the puzzle
- Cycle between hunting for singles, pruning intersections, and re-checking long runs.
- Mark every deduction with candidates—blank cells hide opportunities and increase the chance of mistakes.
Cooldown
After finishing, revisit one tricky deduction and explain it aloud or in a quick note. Repetition turns ad-hoc insights into repeatable strategy.
Next steps
Challenge yourself with a harder difficulty, then consult the advanced guides when you stall. They show how to convert murky candidate grids into concrete progress.
When a puzzle feels stuck
Heavy Kakuro grids often require layering techniques. Use the checklist below to diagnose the grid before assuming you need a guess.
- Have you revisited every run whose total changed after your last placement?
- Did any long run lose a candidate entirely—signalling a hidden single?
- Can two intersecting runs share only one digit in common, forcing a placement through a locked set?
- Would splitting a run’s combinations into high/low groups reveal digits that never appear together?