Hitori

THE PLAYBOOK · SSNHJ

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. Check the rule that explains your first action. Keep the game area visible while you use its controls.

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

Make the controls familiar

Locate the buttons and input area before beginning a long round. Use the on-screen labels to avoid an accidental restart. Refer to the controls when needed.

Your goal

Shade repeated numbers while keeping black cells separated and all white cells connected. Read that aim before choosing your first action. 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. On a smaller screen, keep the active part of the board within view. Return to the rules if the result is unexpected.

A useful example

Two identical unshaded numbers in one row cannot both remain. Apply the same reasoning to the position in your own round. Choose a deliberate next step.

Watch out for this

Removing every duplicate can disconnect white cells. Take a moment to reassess the position before continuing. When a decision goes wrong, compare it with the common mistake described below. Start again only when you intend to leave the current round.

Common questions