Futoshikithe inequality logic puzzle, free online
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What is Futoshiki
The number puzzle where the signs do the talking
Futoshiki is a logic puzzle played on a square grid. Fill every row and column with the digits 1 to N, no repeats, so that each < and > sign between neighbouring cells is true. A few cells are pre-filled, and the signs give you the rest of the clues. The name is Japanese for “inequality”. It is quick to learn, and a good puzzle needs no guesswork at all.
- 4×4 to 9×9, Easy or Hard
- Six board sizes and two difficulties. Easy keeps plenty of clues; Hard strips them back until you need chains, pairs and elimination.
- One solution, always
- Every puzzle is checked by a solver before you see it, so there is exactly one answer and it can always be reached by logic — no guessing.
- Notes, undo, hints
- Pencil notes that clean themselves up, unlimited undo, live red highlights for rule breaks, and a hint when you are truly stuck.
- Progress saved locally
- Your unfinished puzzle, best times and streaks for every size and difficulty are stored on your device — never on a server.
How to play
How to play Futoshiki
Futoshiki is a game of bounds and elimination. Read the givens and signs, fill each row and column with 1 to N, and let logic force every digit.
- 1
Read the grid
The board is an N×N square — 4×4 up to 9×9 here. Some cells already hold a digit. Small < and > signs sit between neighbouring cells, and each one points at the smaller of the two numbers.
- 2
Fill in 1 to N
Every row and every column must contain each digit from 1 to N exactly once, just like a Latin square or a Sudoku with no boxes. In a 5×5 puzzle that means the digits 1 to 5 appear once in every row and once in every column.
- 3
Obey the signs
If a sign says the left cell is smaller than the right cell, the digit on the left must be lower than the digit on the right. A digit like 1 can never sit on the big side of a sign, and N can never sit on the small side — that is where most deductions begin.
- 4
Solve by logic
Every puzzle here has exactly one solution and can be solved without guessing. Use pencil notes to track what each cell could still be, cross candidates out as signs and digits rule them out, and place a digit when only one is left.
Tips to solve faster
- Look at the biggest and smallest digits first: N cannot be on the small side of a sign and 1 cannot be on the big side.
- Follow chains. Three cells joined a < b < c cannot start above N−2 or end below 3.
- Use pencil notes early on anything bigger than 5×5 — they turn deductions into simple crossing-out.
- Scan each row and column for a digit that fits in only one cell.
- When two cells in a line share the same two candidates, no other cell in that line can be either digit.
- Undo is free. Try a placement, see whether it causes a red conflict, and take it back.
FAQ
Futoshiki, answered
Straight answers about the free Futoshiki puzzle you can play online in your browser.
What is Futoshiki?
Futoshiki is a logic puzzle played on a square grid. You fill every cell with a digit from 1 to N so that no digit repeats in any row or column, and every inequality sign (< or >) between two neighbouring cells is true. Some cells start filled in. The name is Japanese for "inequality".
How do you play Futoshiki?
Select an empty cell and enter a digit. Each row and column must contain 1 to N exactly once, and each sign must point to the smaller number: a < between two cells means the left one is smaller, a > means it is larger, and vertical signs work the same way. Use the givens and the signs to narrow down each cell until only one digit is possible.
Is Futoshiki free to play here?
Yes. futoshiki.app is completely free with no download, no account and no ads between puzzles. Everything runs in your browser, on desktop and mobile.
Does every puzzle have a unique solution?
Yes. Each puzzle is generated from a random Latin square and then checked by a solver that confirms exactly one solution remains before it is shown to you. You never need to guess — there is always a logical next step.
What board sizes and difficulties are available?
Boards run from 4×4 to 9×9 in two difficulties. Easy keeps plenty of givens and signs. Hard removes clues until the puzzle is close to minimal, so you need chains, pairs and elimination rather than simple single-cell deductions.
Is my progress saved?
Yes, on your device. Your unfinished puzzle, best times, streaks, board size, difficulty and sound setting are stored in your browser and restored when you come back. Nothing is uploaded and there is no account. Clearing your browser data resets it.