Visual primer for first-time solvers
Shikaku,
shown not told.
Live demonstrationStep 01 / 07
Step01—Meet the board
This is Shikaku.
A grid of cells with five numbers scattered around. Each number is a clue. Your task: draw one rectangle around each number so the rectangle's area equals the number. Every cell must be covered — no gaps, no overlaps, no other shapes.
Rules in play
- Every cell must be covered by exactly one rectangle
- Each rectangle contains exactly one number equal to its area
- All regions must be true rectangles — no L-shapes or irregular polygons
Clue number
Each number equals the area (cell count) of the rectangle that must surround it. A cell marked 6 belongs to a 6-cell rectangle — 1×6, 2×3, or 3×2.
Rectangle colors
Each confirmed rectangle gets a distinct color. Thick dark border = boundary confirmed. Faded color = candidate being considered.
Candidate vs. placed
Orange border = rectangle being deduced this step. Dark border = confirmed and placed.