Daily Shikaku

What is Daily Shikaku?

Daily Shikaku is a daily number logic puzzle where you divide a grid into rectangles. Each rectangle must contain exactly one number, and that number tells you how many cells the rectangle must cover. A 4 must cover 4 cells, a 6 must cover 6 cells, and every square on the board must belong to one valid region. The puzzle looks calm at first, but the challenge comes from space control. One rectangle may fit by itself, yet still be wrong if it blocks another clue or leaves an impossible empty cell. Daily Shikaku rewards patient deduction, careful shape testing, and the satisfying moment when the whole grid finally divides cleanly.

Daily Shikaku Game Rules

1. Each rectangle must contain exactly one number. A rectangle with no number is invalid, and a rectangle with two numbers is also invalid.
2. The number must match the rectangle area. If the clue is 5, its rectangle must cover exactly 5 cells.
3. Rectangles can have different shapes. A 6 may be 1×6, 2×3, 3×2, or 6×1 if the board allows it.
4. Rectangles cannot overlap. A cell can belong to only one rectangle.
5. The entire grid must be filled. No gaps, stray cells, or unused spaces can remain.
6. The trap: a rectangle can be mathematically correct but strategically wrong. If it leaves nearby cells with no possible region, the shape must be changed.

How To Play Daily Shikaku?

Step 1: Scan the grid Player Action: Look at all the numbered cells before drawing rectangles. Game Response: Each number shows the required size of one region. What You Learn: Small numbers are often easier to solve first, while larger numbers may have several possible shapes. Example clue options: - 1 = one single cell - 2 = 1×2 or 2×1 - 4 = 1×4, 2×2, or 4×1 - 6 = 1×6, 2×3, 3×2, or 6×1 Step 2: Start with forced rectangles Player Action: Solve clues near corners, edges, or crowded areas first. Game Response: Some numbers have fewer legal directions, making their rectangles easier to identify. What You Learn: Border clues are powerful because they cannot expand outside the grid. Step 3: Test possible shapes Player Action: Draw a rectangle around a number and count the cells. Game Response: A valid rectangle matches the clue number, avoids other numbers, and does not overlap existing regions. What You Learn: Area alone is not enough. The rectangle must also fit the rest of the puzzle. Step 4: Check for trapped cells Player Action: Look for blank cells that no nearby number can legally cover. Game Response: If a blank cell is trapped, at least one rectangle shape is wrong. What You Learn: Shikaku is solved by eliminating impossible layouts, not by guessing randomly. Step 5: Complete the full board Player Action: Adjust the remaining rectangles until every clue has the right area and every cell is filled. Game Response: The grid becomes a clean set of non-overlapping rectangles.

Strategy & Tips

1. Start with 1s, 2s, and 3s. Small clues often create fixed regions that guide the rest of the board.
2. Use corners and edges. These clues have fewer expansion options and are easier to confirm.
3. Think in factors. A 9 may be 1×9 or 3×3, while a 7 usually forms a long strip.
4. Avoid creating isolated cells. If a leftover cell cannot join any valid rectangle, your layout needs revision.
5. Do not lock big rectangles too early. Large clues can block smaller regions if placed carelessly.
6. Use elimination. When most shapes for a number collide with other clues, the remaining shape is often correct.