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KenKen
KenKen is a mathematical logic puzzle invented by Tetsuya Miyamoto in 2004. Like Sudoku, you fill a grid so each row and column contains unique digits. The twist: cells are grouped into 'cages' with a target number and math operation that the digits must satisfy.
KenKen Rules
Fill the grid so each row and column contains the digits 1 through N (where N is the grid size — 4 for a 4×4 grid, 6 for a 6×6 grid). No repeats in any row or column.
Cells are grouped into cages outlined with dashed borders. Each cage shows a target number and operation (+, −, ×, ÷). The digits in the cage must produce the target using that operation.
For subtraction and division cages (always 2 cells), the order doesn't matter — just the result. For example, a '2−' cage with cells containing 5 and 3 works because 5−3=2.
KenKen Strategy & Tips
Start with single-cell cages
A cage with one cell gives you the answer directly — the target IS the number. Fill these in first.
Look for constrained cages
Small cages with large targets (or large cages with small targets) have fewer possible combinations. Work these out first to narrow down the grid.
Use row/column uniqueness
Remember that each digit appears exactly once per row and column. If you've placed a 3 in a row, no other cell in that row can be 3 — even if the cage math would allow it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is KenKen different from Sudoku?
Both require unique digits in rows and columns, but KenKen adds math: cells are grouped into cages with arithmetic constraints. KenKen also uses different grid sizes (4×4 and 6×6), while Sudoku is always 9×9.
Do I need to be good at math?
Only basic arithmetic — addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The math is simple; the challenge is the logic of fitting everything together.