Treptes Shikaku: the rectangles puzzle that teaches you
Shikaku, the Japanese logic puzzle also known as Rectangles or Divide by Box, free in your browser. Every puzzle can be solved with logic alone, and every hint explains the reasoning, so you learn a little more with each game.
How to play
Divide the whole grid into rectangles (squares count too). Each rectangle holds exactly one number, and that number is its area: a 6 can be 1×6, 2×3, 3×2 or 6×1. Rectangles never overlap and together they cover every cell.
Drag from one corner to the opposite one to draw a rectangle; its size shows while you drag. Tap a rectangle to erase it. Start with the numbers that fit only one way, and the rest follows step by step.
What makes it different
- Hints that teach. A hint shows the next logical step in stages and names the technique. Techniques you discover are collected in your profile.
- A puzzle for your level. Three quick questions and two placement puzzles set your starting rating. After that, your rating moves with every game you finish.
- Daily Challenge. One shared puzzle a day, at the right difficulty for you, with streaks and a calendar of the days you solved.
- Medals and records. Best times, clean solves without hints or mistakes, and medals for the milestones along the way.
- Ads that respect the game. Never during a puzzle, never on pause, and the first new game of the day is always ad-free.
Difficulty levels
Each level has its own grid size and needs a deeper kind of logic. Every puzzle has exactly one solution, and you never have to guess.
- Easy
- 7×7. Numbers that fit only one way, and cells only one number can reach.
- Medium
- 10×10. Overlaps: cells every possible rectangle of a number covers belong to it.
- Hard
- 12×12. Eliminations: a shape that would leave another number without room is out.
- Genius
- 15×15. Deep eliminations that follow a shape a few steps ahead. Still pure logic, never a guess.
Frequently asked questions
Is Treptes Shikaku free?
Yes. Easy, Medium and Hard puzzles, the Daily Challenge, your rating, medals and statistics are free. Premium adds the Genius level, unlimited hints and no ads.
Do I need an account?
No. You can play straight away and your progress is saved in your browser. With a free Treptes account, your progress follows you on all your devices, the same account as in our other games.
Can every puzzle be solved without guessing?
Yes. Every puzzle is checked when it is created: it has exactly one solution, and it must be solvable step by step with techniques our hints can explain.
What is the Daily Challenge?
One new puzzle every day, at a difficulty that matches your level. Solve it every day to build a streak.
How do hints work?
If you drew a wrong rectangle, the hint points to it first. Otherwise it shows you the next logical step in stages: where to look, why, and finally the rectangle to draw, with the name of the technique.
How does the rating work?
Your rating shows your level, from Newcomer to Master. Your first puzzles set where you start. After that, every finished game moves it up or down by at most 25 points: a puzzle that is hard for your level earns more, an easy one less. The first 10 games are for calibration and are scored double.
Mistakes and hints lower what you earn, speed adds or takes off a little, and a solve with no mistakes and no hints never lowers your rating. Starting a new game while another one is unfinished counts as abandoning it.