How to Play Shikaku

THE PLAYBOOK · WHWYBK

How to play Shikaku

Choose a round of Shikaku and settle into its rules. Cover the board with non-overlapping rectangles, each containing one clue equal to its area. Look at what changes after your first action. Treat the first round as a chance to learn the controls. Use the example below to understand a decision.

Solve ten 5×5 rectangle puzzles. Each clue belongs to exactly one rectangle of the stated area.

Keep the aim in sight

Keep the stated aim separate from side details such as animation or appearance. Progress is measured by the game’s own completion or scoring rules. Use the example to check your reasoning.

Your goal

Cover the board with non-overlapping rectangles, each containing one clue equal to its area. The feedback beside the game helps you follow the round. Return to the instructions when a step is unclear.

Step by step

1. Choose a rectangle’s opposite corners.
2. It must contain one clue and have the matching area.
3. Click an existing rectangle to remove it.
4. Cover every square to finish.

Controls

Click or tap squares or graph edges. Number boards include a digit pad. Undo reverses the previous change; Check puzzle validates the solution. On a smaller screen, keep the active part of the board within view. Check any mode label before starting.

A useful example

A clue 6 may occupy a 2×3 rectangle when other clues allow it. Use the example as a guide rather than a substitute for reading your board. Read the matching step again.

Watch out for this

No rectangle may contain two clues or overlap another. Read the feedback to see why an action did not have the expected result. Take enough time to read a new position. If a game has a timer, learn its controls first rather than searching for them during the round.

Common questions