Hidato

Every hidato on this page starts as a random path that visits each square once, moving like a chess king. Our generator then removes numbers for as long as the hidato solver still finds exactly one way to complete the chain.

How to play hidato

• The grid holds the numbers 1 up to the number of squares, each once.
• Consecutive numbers touch: horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
• The first and last numbers are always given, along with some in between.

Tap a square and type its number; for 10 and above, type the digits one after the other. A number that appears twice, or two consecutive numbers that do not touch, turn red. The 1 and the last number are tinted so you can find the ends of the chain.

Levels

Easy grids are 5 by 5 and keep at least 40% of the numbers. Medium grids are 6 by 6 and keep at least 25%. Hard grids are 8 by 8 with as few numbers as a single solution allows; they come from a bank we generated and checked in advance, because each takes several seconds to make.

Strategy

• Short gaps first: between 12 and 14 there is only one 13, and it must touch both; often a single square does.
• One way out: if a placed number has only one free neighbor and its successor is not yet placed, the successor goes there.
• Count the distance: numbers k apart are at most k squares apart in king moves. A square too far from both ends of a gap cannot belong to it.
• Corners and edges: a corner square has only three neighbors, so the chain through it is tightly constrained.

Hints and statistics

Hint uses the two rules above and explains which numbers force the square; if neither applies it reveals a number from the unique answer. Check and Show mistakes compare your numbers with the solution; times and the daily streak are saved per level in your browser. For more path puzzles try numberlink or the loop of slitherlink.

Solver tested 6 October 2026. Found a problem? Tell us.

Questions