Sudoku's sharp-tongued cousin
Fill the grid so every row and column holds 1–N exactly once — while every ‹ and › between cells tells the truth. Most boards start almost empty: the inequality signs alone carry the logic. One unique solution, zero guessing. Free, instant, unlimited.
What is Futoshiki?
Futoshiki (Japanese for "not equal", also sold as "More or Less") is a latin-square logic puzzle. Like Sudoku, each row and column must contain the numbers 1–N exactly once. Unlike Sudoku, the main clues are inequality signs between neighboring cells — the point of each ‹ or › aims at the smaller number. Chains of signs squeeze the possibilities until only one arrangement survives.
Every board here is generated to be solvable by pure deduction with one unique solution. Sizes run 5×5 to 7×7, play is unlimited, and the shared Daily Challenge keeps a streak.
The rules
- Fill every cell with a number from 1 to N (the board size).
- No repeats in any row or column.
- Every ‹ / › sign between two cells must be true — the point aims at the smaller number.
- Tap a cell, then a number on the pad; tap the same number again to erase.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Futoshiki free?
- Yes — completely free, supported by ads. No download, no login.
- Do I ever need to guess?
- No — every board is verified solvable by logical steps alone, with exactly one solution.
- How is it different from Sudoku?
- Same row/column uniqueness, but the reasoning runs through the inequality signs instead of boxes — long chains of ‹ signs are the heart of the puzzle.
- Is there a daily puzzle?
- Yes — a shared 5×5 Daily Challenge with streaks, plus unlimited boards up to 7×7.
Quick solving tips
- Hunt the chains. A run like a ‹ b ‹ c forces a ≤ N−2 and c ≥ 3 — long chains pin the 1 and the N immediately.
- Extremes first. The 1 can never sit on the big side of a sign, the N never on the small side — scan each row for cells that can't hold them.
- Combine with uniqueness. Once a row needs its N in one of two cells, a single › sign usually decides which.
- Re-scan after every entry. Each placed number tightens every sign it touches — deductions cascade fast on 5×5.
See worked examples in the Futoshiki strategy guide.
More logic puzzles
If you enjoy Futoshiki, try our other no-guess logic games: Sudoku, SunMoon (binary balance), CrownGrid and Akari.