What is Hidato?
Hidato is a consecutive number logic puzzle. Some numbers are already placed on the grid, including the first and last number. Your job is to fill every missing number so that 1 connects to 2, 2 connects to 3, and the chain continues all the way to the final cell.
This free Hidato online game includes 5x5, 6x6 and 7x7 grids with easy, medium and hard difficulty. Each generated Hidato puzzle is checked for a single solution, which is the expected standard for a fair logic puzzle.
- Fill every empty cell with one number.
- Use every number from 1 to the grid total exactly once.
- Consecutive numbers must touch by an edge or a corner.
- Given clue numbers cannot be moved.
- A properly made Hidato puzzle should have one unique solution.
How to play Hidato online
Click or tap an empty cell, type a number in the number box, then place it on the board. On a keyboard, you can also select a cell, type the number directly, and press Enter.
Use Check for feedback without revealing the whole answer. Hint fills one correct cell, Undo steps back through your moves, Solution reveals the complete Hidato path, and New puzzle creates another uniquely solved board for the selected size and difficulty.
- Start from the lowest fixed number and the highest fixed number.
- Trace possible paths between nearby clue numbers.
- Use corners and edges carefully because they have fewer neighbours.
- Watch for numbers that can only fit in one cell.
- If a route traps an empty cell, that route cannot be right.
Hidato rules
The main Hidato rule is adjacency. Consecutive values may touch horizontally, vertically or diagonally, so each number can connect to any of the eight neighbouring cells when those cells exist.
Unlike Sudoku, Hidato does not use row, column or box restrictions. The logic comes from the single continuous path of numbers and from the fixed clues that anchor parts of that path.
- Every cell belongs to the number path.
- No number can be repeated.
- No number from the sequence can be skipped.
- A clue is already correct and must stay fixed.
- The finished board forms one complete chain from 1 to the final number.
Hidato strategy tips
Strong Hidato strategy starts by looking between fixed clues. If 8 and 12 are both given, the cells for 9, 10 and 11 must form a short connected route from 8 to 12.
As difficulty rises, the puzzle asks you to combine several route segments. A number may look possible in three places until you notice that one option blocks another clue range.
- Count the gap between two fixed clues before drawing a route.
- Use the edge of the board to narrow possible neighbours.
- Mark forced single-cell steps first.
- Check whether a candidate route leaves enough room for later numbers.
- Work from both ends of a clue gap instead of pushing in one direction only.
Hidato grid sizes and difficulty
A 5x5 Hidato puzzle is a friendly way to learn the rules because the route is short and clue gaps are easier to scan. The 6x6 grid gives a balanced challenge, while 7x7 Hidato puzzles create longer chains and more route planning.
Easy puzzles keep more numbers visible. Medium puzzles remove more of the path and ask for careful gap counting. Hard puzzles keep a unique solution but leave longer stretches for you to reason through.
- 5x5 Hidato is best for beginners.
- 6x6 Hidato is a comfortable daily puzzle size.
- 7x7 Hidato is better when you want a longer logic challenge.
- Easy, medium and hard change how many clues remain on the grid.
- The generator checks uniqueness after clue removal, so the puzzle can be solved by logic.