Squarely

How to play Shikaku

1. Split the whole grid into rectangles (squares count too).
2. Each rectangle holds exactly one number.
3. The number is the rectangle's area: a 6 covers six cells, as 1×6 or 2×3.

Solving tips, easiest first

1. Start where there is only one way. A number squeezed into a corner or between other numbers often has a single rectangle that fits. Draw it first; it shrinks the space for everything else.
2. Primes make strips. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11 and 13 can only be a 1-wide line. A 7 in the middle of an 8×8 board has very few places to go.
3. Cells every option shares. List the rectangles a number could still make. Any cell all of them cover belongs to that number, so no other rectangle may use it.
4. A cell only one number can reach. Look at an empty cell. If just one number can still stretch over it, that cell is part of that number's rectangle.
5. What if…? On Hard boards, try a rectangle and follow the simple rules. If something becomes impossible, that rectangle is wrong.

Every board on Squarely has exactly one solution and can be solved by these steps alone — you never need a lucky guess.

Printable sheets