Nurikabe Solver
enter clues · solve the river

Nurikabe Solver — Step-by-Step Island Logic

Enter island clue numbers only
Enter island numbers in clue cells only. Leave all other cells empty. Each number = the size of that island.

How to use the Nurikabe Solver

Enter the island clue numbers in their cells — only some cells have numbers, the rest are blank. Then click Solve.

The solver expands each island from its clue cell (since islands can't touch each other), marks cells between two island clues as river, applies the no-2×2 rule, and then uses backtracking to fill remaining cells. All four rules are enforced: each island has exactly one clue; island size matches its number; all black cells form one connected river; no 2×2 area is entirely black.

Not sure what to enter? Click Sample to load a ready-made puzzle.

Grid Size
▶ Play Nurikabe instead
Solution Steps
Enter clues then click Solve.
Rules
■ Each number = island cell count
■ One number per island
■ All black cells connected
■ No 2×2 black blocks
■ Islands don't touch each other