How to Play Hitori

THE PLAYBOOK · AHETV

How to play Hitori

Choose a round of Hitori and settle into its rules. Shade repeated numbers while keeping black cells separated and all white cells connected. Use the example below to understand a decision. Read the objective before making your first input. Check the relevant rule before repeating a move.

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

A careful first round

Before your first action, say what you are trying to achieve. Then compare the result with the goal. Keep the objective visible.

Your goal

Shade repeated numbers while keeping black cells separated and all white cells connected. An attractive position is not enough unless the goal is met. Keep the controls in easy reach.

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. Make sure you are interacting with the game rather than the surrounding page.

A useful example

Two identical unshaded numbers in one row cannot both remain. Apply the same reasoning to the position in your own round. Look for the relevant detail.

Watch out for this

Removing every duplicate can disconnect white cells. Compare the situation with the worked example. Locate the buttons and input area before beginning a long round. Use the on-screen labels to avoid an accidental restart.

Common questions