Puzzle roundup

Grid Puzzles

A complete quick-reference guide to grid puzzles, from Sudoku and Nonogram to Kakuro, Slitherlink, crosswords, word searches and modern logic grids.

Grid puzzles are puzzles built on cells, rows, columns, regions, lines or intersections. The grid might hold numbers, letters, shaded squares, paths, ships, lights, stars or word clues, but the appeal is the same: each small local decision changes what the rest of the board can be.

This roundup is deliberately broad and scan-friendly. It does not go deep on any one ruleset; instead, it gives short summaries for as many grid puzzle types as practical and links to the Logic Puzzles Online game whenever we have a playable version.

Keyword focus Grid Puzzles

The article targets grid puzzles, logic grid puzzles, number grid puzzles, word grid puzzles and online grid puzzles.

Roundup size 90+ puzzle types

The list covers classic newspaper grids, Japanese logic puzzles, Sudoku variants, picture puzzles and placement grids.

Internal links Play where possible

Linked titles open the matching Logic Puzzles Online game page in the current language.

Grid puzzles list

Use the list below as a map of the grid puzzle world. The summaries are short on purpose, so you can compare types quickly and jump into any linked game.

Classic number grid puzzles

Number grid puzzles are the core of the grid puzzle category, covering digit placement, sums, inequalities, visibility clues and ordered number paths. This section is the best starting point for solvers searching for math grid puzzles, Sudoku-style puzzles or classic logic grids with numbers.

Sudoku

Fill a grid with digits so every row, column and region follows the no-repeat rule.

Play online

Killer Sudoku

Solve Sudoku with cage totals, using arithmetic clues as well as row and column logic.

Play online

Kakuro

Fill crossing runs with digits that add to each clue total without repeating inside a run.

Play online

Futoshiki

Place numbers while obeying greater-than and less-than signs between neighbouring cells.

Play online

KenKen

Use arithmetic cage clues to decide which numbers can fit in each row, column and region.

Play online

Calcudoku

Use arithmetic cage clues to decide which numbers can fit in each row, column and region.

No game yet

Suko

Place a small set of digits so the marked circles and squares reach their target totals.

Play online

Suguru

Fill a grid with digits so every row, column and region follows the no-repeat rule.

Play online

Skyscrapers

Arrange building heights so the side clues show how many towers are visible.

Play online

Hidato

Create a chain of consecutive numbers, usually with every next number touching the previous one.

Play online

Numbrix

Create a chain of consecutive numbers, usually with every next number touching the previous one.

No game yet

Binary Puzzle

Fill cells with two symbols while balancing each row and column and avoiding long repeats.

Play online

Str8ts

Place digits in straight consecutive runs while using row and column restrictions.

No game yet

Latin Squares

Fill a grid with digits so every row, column and region follows the no-repeat rule.

No game yet

Thermometers

Fill digits so values rise along each thermometer while the grid rules still hold.

Play online

Fillomino

Divide the grid into numbered areas whose size matches the number inside them.

Play online

Hitori

Shade repeated numbers until every row and column has no duplicate visible values.

Play online

Kuromasu

Shade cells so numbered squares can see exactly the required number of white cells.

Play online

Ripple Effect / Hakyuu

Fill each room with numbers while keeping equal numbers separated by distance rules.

No game yet

Crossnumber

Place a small set of digits so the marked circles and squares reach their target totals.

No game yet

Picture, shading and painting grid puzzles

Picture and shading grid puzzles use clues to decide which cells become black, coloured, empty, lit or part of a hidden image. They are ideal if you are looking for visual grid puzzles, Nonogram-style puzzles, paint-by-logic grids or cell shading logic puzzles.

Nonogram / Picross

Use row and column clues to paint cells and reveal a hidden pixel picture.

Play online

Mosaic

Paint cells around each clue so the local count matches the number shown.

Play online

Minesweeper

Paint cells around each clue so the local count matches the number shown.

No game yet

Nurikabe

Separate white islands with a connected wall while matching each numbered region clue.

Play online

Tapa

Use numbered clues to decide which surrounding cells must be shaded or left open.

Play online

Norinori

Shade domino-like pairs inside regions while preventing oversized shaded groups.

Play online

LITS

Shade tetromino shapes in regions while keeping the shaded area connected.

Play online

Heyawake

Shade cells inside rooms while respecting room boundaries, adjacency rules and row or column limits.

Play online

Akari

Place lights so every open cell is illuminated and numbered walls get the right count.

Play online

Yin-Yang

Colour cells into two connected groups while avoiding forbidden 2x2 blocks.

Play online

Cave / Bag

Separate white islands with a connected wall while matching each numbered region clue.

No game yet

Nurimisaki

Use numbered clues to decide which surrounding cells must be shaded or left open.

No game yet

Shakashaka

Use numbered clues to decide which surrounding cells must be shaded or left open.

No game yet

Kurotto

Shade cells so each clue counts the size of neighbouring shaded groups.

No game yet

Mochikoro

Create shaded islands while keeping clues, sizes and separation rules consistent.

No game yet

Shimaguni

Shade cells inside regions while respecting region counts and adjacency restrictions.

No game yet

Aquarium

Shade water in outlined tanks, keeping water levels flat while matching row and column counts.

No game yet

Stained Glass

Paint cells around each clue so the local count matches the number shown.

No game yet

Path, loop and connection grid puzzles

Path, loop and connection grid puzzles are line-drawing logic puzzles where the solution is a route, loop, bridge network or set of non-crossing paths. This group targets solvers looking for loop grid puzzles, route puzzles, connection puzzles, bridge puzzles and other grid puzzles solved by drawing through the board.

Slitherlink

Draw one loop around cell edges so each clue sees the correct number of used edges.

Play online

Masyu

Draw a single loop through pearl clues, following turn and straight-line rules.

Play online

Yajilin

Draw a loop while using arrow clues and shaded blocks to control its route.

Play online

Numberlink

Connect matching numbers or symbols with paths that do not cross or share cells.

Play online

Hashi

Connect numbered islands with horizontal and vertical bridges until one network is formed.

Play online

Galaxies / Tentai Show

Divide the grid into rotationally symmetric areas centred on the marked dots.

Play online

Country Road

Draw a single route through regions while obeying entry, exit and clue restrictions.

No game yet

Arukone

Connect matching numbers or symbols with paths that do not cross or share cells.

No game yet

Pipe Puzzles

Rotate or place pipe pieces so every path connects cleanly.

No game yet

Mazes

Find a route from start to finish while avoiding dead ends and blocked paths.

No game yet

Castle Wall

Draw one loop around numbered clues while obeying inside and outside directions.

No game yet

Araf

Divide the grid into regions whose sizes fall between the clue numbers they contain.

No game yet

Placement, region and tiling grid puzzles

Placement and region grid puzzles ask you to put objects into cells, divide the board into valid areas or tile the grid with shapes. They are strong choices for anyone searching for spatial logic puzzles, region puzzles, object placement puzzles or grid puzzles about rows, columns and adjacency.

Tents and Trees

Place tents beside trees while keeping tents apart and matching row and column counts.

Play online

Battleship

Hide a fleet in the grid using row and column counts and non-touching ship rules.

Play online

Star Battle

Place stars so every row, column and region has the required count without touching stars.

Play online

Queens

Place queens or crowns so rows, columns and regions are satisfied without attacks.

Play online

Shikaku

Split the grid into rectangles, each containing one clue that gives its area.

Play online

Parks

Place one object in each row, column and region without touching another object.

No game yet

Tatamibari

Divide the grid into rectangles using clues that describe how each rectangle touches others.

No game yet

Dominosa

Pair adjacent numbers into dominoes so every domino value appears exactly once.

No game yet

Pentominoes

Fit shapes made from five squares into a rectangle or picture without gaps.

No game yet

Polyomino Tiling

Fit shapes made from five squares into a rectangle or picture without gaps.

No game yet

Statue Park

Place a given set of shapes into the grid while maintaining connectivity rules.

No game yet

Tiling Puzzles

Fit shapes into a grid so the board is covered without gaps or overlaps.

No game yet

Battleships Solitaire

Hide a fleet in the grid using row and column counts and non-touching ship rules.

No game yet

Sudoku-style grid puzzle variants

Sudoku-style grid puzzle variants keep the familiar no-repeat structure but add extra constraints such as cages, arrows, diagonals, parity, thermometers or outside clues. This section helps readers compare Sudoku grid puzzles and related number-placement puzzles without needing a full rules guide for every variant.

Jigsaw Sudoku / Irregular Sudoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

Samurai Sudoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

X Sudoku / Diagonal Sudoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

Hyper Sudoku / Windoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

Mini Sudoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

Play online

Wordoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

Arrow Sudoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

Sandwich Sudoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

Kropki Sudoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

Thermo Sudoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

Greater Than Sudoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

Consecutive Sudoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

XV Sudoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

Even-Odd Sudoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

Anti-Knight Sudoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

Anti-King Sudoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

Little Killer Sudoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

Palindrome Sudoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

Outside Sudoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

Product Sudoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

Sum Sudoku

A Sudoku variant that adds extra clue types on top of the familiar 9x9 no-repeat grid.

No game yet

Word, symbol and deduction grid puzzles

Word, symbol and deduction grid puzzles show that the grid puzzle format is not limited to numbers. These include word grid puzzles, crossword-style grids, code grids, word searches and logic grid puzzles where the grid organizes clues, letters or possibilities.

Crossword

Fill a word grid from across and down clues, crossing letters to confirm each answer.

No game yet

Cryptic Crossword

Solve wordplay and definition clues, then fit the answers into a crossing letter grid.

No game yet

Word Search

Find hidden words in a letter grid, usually across, down, backward or diagonally.

No game yet

Codeword

Decode a crossword-style grid where each number stands for a letter.

No game yet

Acrostic

Answer clues and transfer letters into a grid to reveal a quotation or message.

No game yet

Cryptogram

Decode letters or symbols by using patterns, repeated words and likely meanings.

No game yet

Logic Grid Puzzles

Use a table of clues to match people, objects, places or times without guessing.

No game yet

Zebra Puzzles

Solve a longer elimination puzzle by combining many small clues into one final answer.

No game yet

Mastermind

Break a secret colour or number code using feedback after each guess.

No game yet

How to choose a grid puzzle

If you like number placement, start with Sudoku, Futoshiki, KenKen, Kakuro or Binary. If you prefer visual progress, try Nonogram, Mosaic, Nurikabe, Shikaku or Yin-Yang. If drawing is satisfying, Slitherlink, Masyu, Numberlink and Hashi are natural next steps.

Difficulty depends heavily on puzzle design, not just the name. A small grid can teach the rules gently, while a larger or more constrained grid can become a serious deduction challenge.

Best first grid puzzles: Sudoku, Nonogram, Futoshiki, Tents and Trees and Binary.

For picture-style solving: Nonogram, Mosaic, Nurikabe, Yin-Yang and Shikaku.

For paths and loops: Slitherlink, Masyu, Numberlink, Hashi and Yajilin.

For quick word grids: Crossword, Word Search, Codeword and Acrostic.

Play grid puzzles online

Many entries in this roundup link directly to playable puzzles on Logic Puzzles Online. A linked title opens the matching game page; an unlinked title is included because it is a real grid puzzle type but is not currently available here.

No extra images are required for this article in the current blog style. The card grid and internal game links do the useful work; a custom social image or hero image could be added later for sharing.

Grid Puzzles FAQ

What are grid puzzles?

Grid puzzles are puzzles solved on a structured grid of cells, lines or intersections, usually by using clues and deduction rather than guessing.

Are Sudoku and crosswords both grid puzzles?

Yes. Sudoku is a number grid puzzle, while crosswords are word grid puzzles. The term grid puzzles is broad enough to include both.

What grid puzzle should beginners try first?

Sudoku, Nonogram, Futoshiki, Binary and Tents and Trees are good starting points because their rules are compact and easy to practise.

Can I play grid puzzles online here?

Yes. Puzzle names with links open the corresponding playable grid puzzle on Logic Puzzles Online.