Kakuro Strategy: 7 Techniques

1. Unique combinations first

Two cells summing to 3 can only be 1 and 2. Three cells summing to 24 can only be 7, 8 and 9. Learn the short list of runs that can be made only one way and look for them first.

2. Crossings narrow things down

A cell in a run of 3 (1+2) that crosses a run of 16 (7+9) can't work at all, so the puzzle won't do that. But a cell in 4 (1+3) crossing 12 (3+9 or 4+8 or 5+7) must be 3.

3. High and low sums

Even without a unique set, big sums rule out small digits and small sums rule out big ones. Two cells adding to 15 use only 6 to 9.

4. The last cell of a run

When all but one cell of a run is filled, the last one is the clue minus the rest.

5. Digits a run can't use

Two cells adding to 10 can't use 5 (that would need two 5s). Three cells adding to 9 can't use 7, 8 or 9.

6. Pairs inside a run

If two cells of a run can only be 1 or 2 between them, no other cell in that run can be 1 or 2.

7. Notes

Write the possible digits as notes, especially where runs cross, and erase them as you rule them out. Use the hint if you get stuck.

Last updated 2026-10-19