What is a Hidato solver?
A Hidato solver is an online tool that completes a consecutive number path puzzle. Hidato, also called Hidoku by some solvers, gives you a grid with a few fixed numbers. The answer uses every open cell once so that each number touches the next number horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
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- Solve a Hidato puzzle from a newspaper, book, app or printable worksheet.
- Check whether the clue numbers still allow a valid path.
- Find the next logical Hidato move without revealing the whole answer.
- Test a handmade Hidoku grid for validity and uniqueness.
How to use this Hidato solver
Choose the number of rows and columns, then create the grid. In number mode, click a cell and enter any fixed clue numbers from your puzzle. If your Hidato shape is not a full rectangle, switch to Blocks mode and click cells that are outside the puzzle.
Press Solve to complete the whole path. Press Check to confirm that the clues can still fit a solution. Press Next move to reveal one forced placement with a short explanation, then Apply move if you want the grid to update.
- Use 5x5 for quick Hidato and Hidoku puzzles.
- Use 6x6 to 9x9 for larger consecutive number puzzles.
- Keep 1 and the final number if they are printed as clues.
- Block unused cells before entering high numbers so the range is correct.
- Use Reset when you want the same shape with empty clues.
Hidato and Hidoku rules used by the solver
The solver uses the standard Hidato rule set. Every open cell must contain one number, no number can repeat, and the sequence must run from 1 to the final open-cell count without gaps.
Consecutive numbers may touch by an edge or by a corner. Unlike Sudoku, there are no row, column or box rules. All of the logic comes from the single continuous path and the fixed clue numbers.
- Each open cell is part of the path.
- Every value from 1 to the final number appears exactly once.
- N and N+1 must be neighbouring cells.
- Blocked cells are ignored by the path.
- A well-made Hidato puzzle should have one unique solution.
Next move logic and Hidato strategies
The Next move helper starts by looking at already placed neighbours. If 17 is placed, then 16 and 18 must be in cells touching 17 unless those values are fixed somewhere else. When only one legal neighbour remains, the move is forced.
The solver also studies clue gaps. If 8 and 12 are fixed, then 9, 10 and 11 must form a three-step route between them. If a candidate cell is too far from the next fixed clue, it is removed from consideration.
- Neighbour candidates restrict numbers beside placed clues.
- Fixed clue gaps limit the route between two printed numbers.
- Only-cell moves place a number with one possible location.
- Only-number moves fill a cell that has one possible value.
- Uniqueness proof can identify a forced placement when simpler logic is exhausted.
Why a Hidato puzzle may have no solution
A Hidato can become impossible if a clue number is repeated, if a clue is larger than the number of open cells, or if two fixed clues are too far apart to connect using the numbers between them.
A puzzle can also have multiple solutions. Published Hidato and Hidoku puzzles usually aim for one answer, but a handmade grid with too few fixed clues may allow several valid paths. The solver reports that when it can prove more than one solution.
- Duplicate clue numbers break the one-number-one-cell rule.
- The wrong blocked-cell shape changes the final number.
- Large clue gaps can leave too many possible routes.
- Small clue gaps can be impossible if the clues are too far apart.
- More givens usually make the puzzle easier to prove unique.
Hidato solving techniques
These are the main ideas used by the next-move helper. They are also useful manual Hidato strategies when you solve on paper.
Neighbour Candidates
BeginnerA missing number must touch the number before it and the number after it when either neighbour is already placed.
Fixed Clue Gap
BeginnerTwo fixed clues create a route segment. The numbers between them must fit into a connected chain of exactly the right length.
Only Cell for a Number
BeginnerIf a missing value has only one legal cell left, that value can be placed immediately.
Only Number for a Cell
IntermediateIf an empty cell can hold only one missing value without breaking the path, that value is forced.
Forced by Uniqueness
AdvancedWhen the current givens have one solution, a proved placement from that solution can be shown as the next safe move.