Rectangles Puzzle
one number per rectangle · the number is its area

Play Rectangles — Area and Factor Pairs Logic Puzzle

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Drag corner to cornerTap a rectangle to remove itLabel shows w × h = area

How to play Rectangles

Split the whole grid into rectangles. Every rectangle contains exactly one number, and that number is its area — the number of squares inside it.

So a 6 can be 1×6, 2×3, 3×2 or 6×1, and an 7 can only be a 1×7 strip. Thinking in factor pairs is the key: big prime numbers and numbers near the edge have the fewest shapes.

Drag from one corner to the opposite corner to draw. The label under your finger shows width × height = area, green when it matches the number inside, amber when the size is wrong.

How to play Rectangles

Split the grid into rectangles so each holds exactly one number, and that number is its area.

The rules

  1. Divide the whole grid into rectangles (squares are rectangles too).
  2. Every rectangle contains exactly one number.
  3. The number is the rectangle’s area — how many squares it covers.
  4. Every puzzle has exactly one solution.

Playing here

  1. Choose a size, square or wide grid, and a difficulty, then press New Puzzle.
  2. Drag from corner to corner to draw a rectangle. While you drag, the label shows width × height = area and turns green when it fits the number inside.
  3. Tap a rectangle (or right-click) to remove it. Numbers turn green when their rectangle is right.
  4. Show factor pairs lists every shape the number could take. Hint draws one rectangle and explains why.

Tips

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

Questions

Is this the same as Shikaku?

Yes — Shikaku is the Japanese name for the same puzzle.

What maths does it practise?

Multiplication facts and factor pairs (which widths and heights make each number), area, and checking with addition: all the numbers together add up to the size of the grid.

Can a rectangle be a square?

Yes. A 4 can be a 2×2 square, a 9 can be 3×3.

How do I enter a puzzle from a book?

Open the Rectangles Solver, choose the rows and columns, click each numbered square and type its number, then press Solve.

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