What is KenKen?
KenKen is a number-placement puzzle played on a square grid. A 4x4 KenKen uses the numbers 1 to 4, a 5x5 puzzle uses 1 to 5, and a 6x6 puzzle uses 1 to 6.
The grid is split into cages. Each cage has a target number and usually an operator, so the values inside that cage must combine to make the clue. That is why people search for KenKen online, KenKen puzzles, free KenKen and math logic puzzles when they want this style of game.
- Each row contains every number from 1 to the grid size.
- Each column contains every number from 1 to the grid size.
- No number repeats in a row or column.
- Each cage must match its target using the shown operator.
- Single-cell cages are already fixed by their target.
How to play KenKen online
Start with the row and column rule: every line must contain all numbers from 1 to N. Then read the cage labels. A 6+ cage must add to 6, a 2/ cage must divide to 2, and a 3- cage must have a difference of 3.
Click or tap a cell, enter a number, and use Check when you want feedback. The puzzle can be solved by logic alone; guessing is not needed when you combine arithmetic with row and column eliminations.
- Pick 4x4 if you are learning the KenKen rules.
- Pick 5x5 for a balanced daily KenKen puzzle.
- Pick 6x6 when you want deeper arithmetic chains.
- Use + only for addition practice, + - for a gentler puzzle, or mixed operators for the full KenKen experience.
KenKen operators and cage clues
Addition and multiplication cages may contain two or more cells. Subtraction and division clues are used on two-cell cages because the order does not matter: the numbers only need the right difference or quotient.
The operator setting lets you control the feel of the puzzle. Sums-only KenKen is friendlier for children and beginners. Mixed-operator KenKen adds multiplication and division, which makes each cage more distinctive.
- A 9+ cage means the cage values add to 9.
- A 12x cage means the cage values multiply to 12.
- A 2- cage means the two values differ by 2.
- A 3/ cage means the larger value divided by the smaller value is 3.
KenKen strategy tips
Look for cages with very few combinations. On a 5x5 grid, a 10x two-cell cage can only be 2 and 5. If one of those numbers is blocked by the row or column, the other placement becomes clear.
Use cage totals to create candidate pairs, then cross-check those candidates against rows and columns. The best KenKen strategy is to move back and forth between arithmetic and Latin-square logic.
- Solve single-cell cages first.
- List possible combinations for small cages.
- Use row and column repeats to remove candidates.
- Watch for cages that share a row or column.
- Recheck subtraction and division cages after every placement.
How this KenKen generator works
The page first creates a solved Latin-square grid. It then grows connected cages, chooses targets and operators from the selected operator mode, and runs a backtracking solver that counts possible answers.
If a board has more than one solution, the generator strengthens it or starts again. The result is a playable KenKen puzzle that behaves like a proper newspaper-style puzzle: clean clues, no hidden guessing and one final answer.