Free calcudoku puzzles, solver and printables

6x6 KenKen Puzzles

A new 6x6 calcudoku every time: play it here with hints, or print a sheet with answers.

This 6x6 KenKen is a free, browser-based KenKen-style puzzle. Fill the 6-by-6 grid with the digits 1 to 6 so that each digit appears once in every row and column, and the numbers in each cage produce that cage’s target. It runs in your web browser with no sign-up and nothing to install, and puzzles are made on your device, so nothing is uploaded.

The page opens with a Medium puzzle. Every puzzle has exactly one solution, which the built-in solver checks before the puzzle is shown. This suits anyone looking for a 6x6 KenKen puzzle with a clear route from the first clue to the finished grid, whether you are new to the type or moving up from smaller grids.

How to use the 6x6 KenKen

  1. Start with the opening Medium puzzle, or press New puzzle and choose a Difficulty (Easy, Medium, Hard or Expert) and Operations (All four, Addition only, Addition and subtraction, or Multiplication and division).
  2. Tap or click a cell. Read the target in the cage’s top-left corner, such as 12+ or 6×. The cage helper line lists the digit sets that can make that cage, for example “Cage 3+ (2 cells) can be made from: 1 2”.
  3. Tap a digit on the number pad, or type it on your keyboard.
  4. To write small notes instead of a digit, press the Pencil button, or press P or Space, then enter the candidates.
  5. If you make a wrong move, press Undo, or Redo if you undid too far. Ctrl+Z also works for undo.
  6. Press Hint when you are stuck. It names the technique for the next logical step, shades the cells, explains it in one sentence and can do the step for you. If one of your digits is wrong, it tells you first.
  7. Press Check to count wrong cells. Use Reveal cell or Solve it only when you want the answer. Pause stops the timer.

Keyboard shortcuts: arrow keys move between cells, 1 to 9 enter a digit, P or Space switches pencil marks, and Backspace erases. You can also turn on “Show repeated digits and wrong cage totals” to flag mistakes as you go, or “Remove pencil marks automatically” to clear notes when a digit is placed.

How do you solve a 6x6 KenKen?

Solve it by combining the Latin square rule with the arithmetic in each cage. Every row and column must hold the digits 1 to 6 exactly once, and the digits in each cage must reach its target with its operation.

Each row adds up to 21 (1+2+3+4+5+6) and multiplies to 720, which gives you a quick check on any finished row.

Work through these techniques in order:

  • Single-cell cages fix their digit at once. Write that digit into the cell, then remove it from the other cells in its row and column.
  • Two-cell division cages are small. A 2÷ cage can only be 1 and 2, 2 and 4, or 3 and 6.
  • Two-cell subtraction cages are also limited. A 1− cage has five options, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5 or 5-6, so its two cells are always neighbouring numbers.
  • Larger cages need more care. An L-shaped three-cell 12× cage can only be {1, 2, 6}, {1, 3, 4} or {2, 2, 3}. The {2, 2, 3} option needs the two 2s to sit in different rows and columns.
  • Pencil marks help you track what each cell can still hold. Remove a candidate when its row, column or cage rules it out.
  • Pairs and hidden singles finish many grids. A pair is two cells in one unit holding the same two candidates, which rules those digits out of the rest of the unit. A hidden single is a digit that fits in only one cell of a row or column.

This puzzle type is also called calcudoku or mathdoku, and all of these names describe the same logic.

How hard is a 6x6 puzzle?

A 6x6 puzzle’s difficulty depends on the solving steps it needs, not on its size. The site rates Easy puzzles as solvable with single-cell cages, cage combinations and “only one digit fits” or “only one place for a digit” moves. Medium adds pairs or a digit forced onto a line by a cage. Hard needs a triple or one round of trial and error, and Expert needs deeper trial and error.

On average, a 6x6 Easy puzzle has about 19 cages, including about 7 single-cell cages. A Medium puzzle has about 14.5 cages and 3 single cells, and a Hard puzzle has about 13 cages and 2 single cells. Cages hold up to four cells. Fewer cages means larger cages, which leave more combinations to test. If you are new to the type, start with Easy.

Can I print 6x6 puzzles?

Yes. The Print tab prints sheets of 6x6 puzzles, and each sheet can hold 1, 2, 4 or 6 puzzles per page. Choose the number that fits your paper and the space you want for working.

The printed sheets include answer pages, so you can check your work after solving on paper. Pencil marks are useful on paper too, so keep a pencil nearby.

Is there a KenKen puzzle 6x6 with answer?

Yes. Every puzzle this site makes has exactly one solution, and the built-in solver checks that before the puzzle is shown. A correct finished grid therefore matches one answer, and any other grid has a mistake somewhere.

When you are stuck, use Hint before the answer, because Hint explains the technique and keeps the logic in your hands. If you want the full answer, Solve it fills the grid. Printed puzzles come with answer pages.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the official KenKen?

No. KenKen is a registered trademark of Nextoy, LLC. This site makes KenKen-style puzzles, which are also called calcudoku, mathdoku or kendoku, and it is not affiliated with KenKen.

Will I lose my progress if I close the page?

No. Progress is saved in your browser on this device, so reloading the page continues the same puzzle. To open the exact same puzzle on another device, press Copy link and open the link it gives you, which contains a ?p= code.

Which difficulty should I choose for 6x6?

Start with Easy if 6x6 is new to you: it has more single-cell cages to begin from. Move to Medium when you can finish without Hint.

Can I play 6x6 KenKen on my phone?

Yes. The board scales to the width of the screen, and the number pad buttons are large enough to tap. Progress is saved on the phone too.

Can I get a different 6x6 puzzle?

Yes. Press New puzzle and choose a Difficulty and Operations. The grid stays at 6x6, because this page offers only that size.

Does the timer keep running while I think?

Yes, the timer runs while the puzzle is open. Press Pause to stop it when you need a break.