Play Futoshiki Online — Free
Fill a grid with digits 1–N so each digit appears once per row and column, obeying all inequality signs between adjacent cells.
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About Futoshiki
Futoshiki is a Japanese logic puzzle combining Latin square rules with inequality constraints. The grid must be filled so that each row and column contains each digit exactly once (like Sudoku rows), but between some adjacent cells, inequality signs (< or >) tell you which of the two cells holds the larger value.
These inequality chains are the heart of Futoshiki. A chain of cells A < B < C in a 4×4 grid immediately tells you A can be at most 2, B can be 2 or 3, and C must be at least 3. Tracing chains across the grid reveals allowed ranges for each cell, which combined with the Latin square constraint rapidly pins down digits.
Futoshiki puzzles are quick to learn and explain, making them excellent for puzzle newcomers. Yet the chain-following logic creates genuinely interesting solving patterns that keep experienced puzzlers engaged across larger grid sizes.
Begin by identifying the longest inequality chains and determining the minimum and maximum possible values for each cell in the chain. These bounds, combined with the “each digit once per line” rule, often force immediate placements.
Frequently asked questions
What is Futoshiki?
Futoshiki is a logic puzzle where you fill a grid with digits 1 to N (where N is the grid size). Each digit must appear exactly once in each row and column, and you must satisfy the inequality signs (< and >) between adjacent cells.