Magic Sum Game
fill the grid · hit every total

How to play Magic grid puzzles

Place each number once so every row and column hits its target — by adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing.

The rules

  1. Magic Sum: place every number from 1 to N exactly once. Each row and column must add up to the target shown at its edge.
  2. Magic Difference: start from the row's (or column's) anchor cell and subtract the others in turn — the result must match the target. Negative targets are optional.
  3. Magic Product: the numbers in each row and column multiply to the target.
  4. Magic Division: divide sequentially from the anchor cell; decimal targets are optional for a harder game.
  5. Magic Mixed: rows use one operation and columns another — ten combinations in all.

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 Magic grid puzzles.

Questions

What is the anchor cell?

In Magic Difference and Magic Division, the first cell of a row or column. You start from it and subtract or divide the others in turn.

Is there a solver?

Yes, for Magic Sum: the Magic Sum Solver explains every step.

Which one should I start with?

Magic Sum is the gentlest. Product builds times-table fluency; Mixed is the hardest.

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