Futoshiki Game
fill the grid · satisfy the arrows

How to play Futoshiki

Fill a Latin square so each row and column holds 1 to N once, and every inequality sign is true.

The rules

  1. An N×N grid uses the digits 1 to N (here 4×4 to 7×7).
  2. Each row and each column contains each digit exactly once.
  3. Inequality signs (< and >) between neighbouring cells must be obeyed — the sign points to the smaller number.
  4. Some digits may be given at the start.

Playing here

  1. Choose a grid size and a difficulty, then press Generate Puzzle.
  2. Click a cell and type a digit, or use the on-screen keypad. Notes switches to pencil marks.
  3. Undo steps back; Force places one digit that has only one possible value; Check marks mistakes in red without giving away the answer.
  4. Stuck? Send to Solver opens the same puzzle in the step-by-step solver. Send to Slate opens it as a board on the Slate whiteboard, to solve in front of a class.

Tips

The full guide, with a worked example and common mistakes: How to play Futoshiki.

Questions

Which way does the arrow point?

From the larger number to the smaller one — like the open mouth of < and >, the wide side faces the bigger number.

What sizes can I play?

The Futoshiki game generates 4×4 to 7×7 grids from Easy to Devilish.

Can the solver explain a newspaper puzzle?

Yes. Enter the givens, click between cells to set the signs, then run the Futoshiki Solver step by step.

Is Futoshiki a Latin square?

Yes — a Latin square with inequality clues added.

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