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Frequently Asked Questions about Futoshiki

What is Futoshiki?
Futoshiki is a Japanese logic puzzle where you fill a grid with numbers so each row and column contains unique values. The twist: inequality signs (< and >) between cells tell you which number must be greater or smaller. It's like Sudoku with extra constraints.
How do you play Futoshiki online?
Click an empty cell and enter a number. Each row and column must have unique numbers (1-4 for a 4x4 grid, 1-5 for 5x5, etc). Follow the greater-than and less-than signs between cells. Use pencil notes to track possibilities.
Is Futoshiki free to play?
Yes! PlayBrain's Futoshiki is completely free. Play instantly in your browser with 3 grid sizes (4x4, 5x5, 6x6) and multiple difficulty levels. No downloads, no accounts needed.
What's the best Futoshiki strategy?
Start with cells that have the most inequality constraints. If a cell has both < and > signs, it narrows possibilities fast. Fill in cells where only one number is possible, then use elimination. Work through rows and columns systematically.
Is Futoshiki harder than Sudoku?
Futoshiki can be trickier because inequality constraints add a layer of reasoning beyond simple elimination. However, smaller grid sizes (4x4) make it more approachable for beginners. The 6x6 hard mode is genuinely challenging!

About Futoshiki

Futoshiki is a Japanese number puzzle that combines Latin square logic with inequality constraints. You fill a grid so that each row and column contains every number from 1 to the grid size exactly once, similar to Sudoku, but with greater-than and less-than signs between certain cells that must be satisfied. These inequality clues add a layer of deductive reasoning that pure Latin squares lack, forcing you to consider number relationships as well as placement. Grids range from 4-by-4 beginner puzzles to challenging 7-by-7 grids with sparse clues. The puzzle rewards systematic elimination and careful logic rather than guessing. Each puzzle has a unique solution, and the satisfaction of working through a chain of inequalities to place the final number is genuinely rewarding.

How to Play

  1. Examine the grid and note the inequality signs between cells.
  2. Fill each cell with a number so every row and column has unique values.
  3. Ensure all greater-than and less-than constraints are satisfied.
  4. Use process of elimination and inequality chains to deduce correct placements.