Hidato (also called Hidoku) is a free online number-path logic puzzle you can play instantly in your browser, no download or account needed. Each grid reveals the first and last number plus a scatter of clues in between — fill in the rest so every number from 1 up to the final cell forms one unbroken chain, with each step landing on a neighboring cell in any of the eight directions, including diagonals, exactly like a chess king’s move. Tap a cell, type its number, and a connecting line traces your path as it grows. Nine levels climb from a 5x5 warm-up to a tight 8x8 grid with far fewer starting clues each time.
How to play Hidato
- Tap an empty cell to select it, then type its number using the 0-9 keypad — two-digit numbers are typed one key at a time and confirm automatically.
- Every number from 1 up to the grid’s final cell (25 on the smallest 5x5 board, up to 64 on the largest 8x8) must sit in a cell that touches the one before it: horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, exactly like a chess king’s move.
- The first number and the highest number are always given as clues, along with a scatter of mid-path numbers to help you find your bearings.
- A number placed twice on the board is flagged immediately in red, so you can erase it with the eraser key before it throws off the rest of the chain.
- Fill every cell so the full sequence forms one unbroken path from the first number to the last to clear the level and unlock the next one.
Tips
- Work outward from the given clues first — the fewer empty cells between two known numbers, the fewer ways the path between them can actually run.
- Before guessing, count how many open king’s-move neighbors a clue actually has left — corner and edge cells have fewer neighbors than the middle of the board, so numbers forced into them are often the easiest to pin down.
- Watch the connecting line as you fill numbers in — a line that would have to cross itself or double back on a filled cell means a number is in the wrong place.
- Stuck? Use Undo to back out of a wrong guess, or spend one of your limited hints to reveal a correct cell instead of guessing blind.
FAQ
Is Hidato free to play?
Yes. Hidato is completely free to play online with no download, no account, and no in-game purchases.
Does Hidato work on mobile?
Yes, cells and the number keypad both respond to touch, and mouse clicks plus the keyboard also work on desktop, so every level plays the same on phones, tablets, and desktop.
Is Hidato the same puzzle as Hidoku?
Yes — Hidato and Hidoku are two names for the same puzzle: fill a grid with a single chain of consecutive numbers, where each number sits a king’s-move step (any of the 8 surrounding directions) from the one before it.
How many levels does Hidato have, and how hard do they get?
There are 9 levels, growing from a 5x5 grid with 11 starting clues up to an 8x8 grid with only 9 — bigger boards with proportionally fewer clues to work from.