Killer Sudoku

Also known as: Addoku, Samu Nanpure, Sum Sudoku, Sumdoku, Sums Number Place, Tashizan Numpre

Originating in Japan, Killer Sudoku is an amalgamation of Sudoku and Kakuro. The puzzle is solved like a Sudoku, but with an extra element. The grid is overlaid by a pattern of ‘cages’, usually denoted by dotted lines, that have a small number in the corner: the sum of all digits within the ‘cage’ must total this number. So when complete, the Killer Sudoku grid is filled with digits from 1 to 9 with no digit repeated in any row, column or cage.

Despite the ‘Killer’ moniker, simple Killer Sudoku puzzles can in fact be easier to solve than their regular counterpart, depending on the player’s mental arithmetic abilities.

You should try Kakuro or Suguru – or, if you prefer Sudoku, one of its many variations, including Colour Sudoku.

Killer Sudoku’s popularity means that it appears in a number of our magazines as well as having its own dedicated title. Check out the full range:

We have a broad range of Sudoku products, with a few exclusively devoted to Killer Sudoku:

Like to play your puzzles online? We have a huge selection that you can play right now in your web browser!

Our expertly curated Puzzler App offers a daily updated collection of diverse puzzles and games, including Killer Sudoku. We suggest you also try classic Sudoku and Suguru.