How to Play Hitori

THE PLAYBOOK · ADAMMBS

How to play Hitori

Start Hitori by looking at the playing area and its controls. Shade repeated numbers while keeping black cells separated and all white cells connected. Choose a clear next step rather than rushing through the instructions. Choose a comfortable screen position before beginning. Choose a clear next step rather than rushing through the instructions.

Play twelve 5×5 puzzles. Any shaded starting cells remain fixed.

Build a steady rhythm

Take enough time to read a new position. If a game has a timer, learn its controls first rather than searching for them during the round. Keep the objective visible.

Your goal

Shade repeated numbers while keeping black cells separated and all white cells connected. Keep that objective in view throughout the round. Notice how the game responds to your input.

Step by step

1. Click a cell to shade, mark or clear it.
2. No unshaded number may repeat in a row or column.
3. Black cells cannot share an edge.
4. Check puzzle verifies duplicates and connectivity.

Controls

Click or tap squares or graph edges. Number boards include a digit pad. Undo reverses the previous change; Check puzzle validates the solution. Read a button’s label before selecting it. Avoid pressing the same control repeatedly while a move is being processed.

A useful example

Two identical unshaded numbers in one row cannot both remain. Use the example as a guide rather than a substitute for reading your board. Take a moment to compare.

Watch out for this

Removing every duplicate can disconnect white cells. A different version of the game may use a different rule. Read one step at a time and try it on the playing area. Match the instruction to the control you use.

Common questions