Hitori
Shade numbers until no row or column repeats.
About Hitori
Hitori is a Japanese logic puzzle by the makers of Sudoku. Instead of writing numbers you remove them: shade the duplicates, keep the rest connected. Every puzzle here has exactly one solution.
How to play
Shade cells so that no number appears twice in any row or column. Shaded cells may not touch each other side by side, and all unshaded cells must stay connected in one group.
Tips and strategies
- A cell between two equal numbers (5 x 5) must stay white.
- Next to a shaded cell, every neighbour is white — circle it.
- Never shade a cell that would cut the white cells into two groups.
Hitori strategy guide
Circle the safe cells first: a number that appears only once in its row and column can stay white. And next to every shaded cell, circle its neighbours, because shaded cells can't touch.
Learn two patterns. In a triple like 3 3 3 in one line, both ends are shaded and the middle stays white; in a sandwich like 3 5 3, the middle cell stays white, because one of the 3s must be shaded.
Keep the white cells connected. If shading a cell would cut a white area off from the rest, that cell must stay white — this rule often decides the last few cells.
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules of Hitori?
Shade cells so that no number appears twice among the unshaded cells of any row or column. Shaded cells may not touch side by side, and all unshaded cells must stay connected in one group.
Which sizes can I play?
6×6, 8×8 and 10×10, filled with the numbers 1 to n. The daily challenge is 6×6.
Does every Hitori have one solution?
Yes. A solver checks every grid and only grids with exactly one solution are used.
Is Hitori free to play?
Yes. Every game on Puzzimo is completely free and runs in your browser on desktop, tablet and phone — no download or installation.
Do I need an account?
No. You can play instantly as a guest and still appear on the leaderboards. Sign in with Google, Discord or LINE to keep your scores on every device.
How does the daily Hitori challenge work?
Every day at 00:00 UTC everyone gets the same new puzzle. Only your first finish of the day counts on the leaderboard.
How are leaderboard results verified?
Our servers replay every move of your game and measure the time themselves, so leaderboard results can't be faked.