# Kakuro CS

> Logic puzzle game combining crossword excitement with math and logic challenges. (iPhone/iPad app by Dogfish Technologies, LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kakuro-cs/id364898509 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Dogfish Technologies, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1197710360)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Puzzle
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 2.78/5 from 9 App Store ratings · 9 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 8 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2010-04-01
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kakuro-cs/id364898509/reviews.md

## What is Kakuro CS?

Kakuro CS is an easy to learn logic puzzle game which combines the excitement of crossword puzzles with the challenge of math and logic.  The game is very similar to Sudoku but adds a new twist; the numbers you enter in the cells must add up to the totals shown in the row and column headers.  Anyone can enjoy this challenging game, but If you've been playing Sudoku and are looking for a new challenge or if you like puzzles of math and logic, then these puzzles are perfect for you.

Kakuro (or Kakkuro - カックロ) is very popular in Japan, second only to Sudoku, although in other parts of the world, it is also referred to by the name 'Cross Sums' or 'Cross Addition'.   The puzzles are played in a grid of black and white cells and the object of the game is to completely fill in the while cells with numbers which meet the following requirements:

1. Each white cell must be filled with a number from 1 to 9 inclusive
2. The sum of the numbers entered in each row and column must add up to the total for that row or column as indicated by the number in the black cells
3. You cannot use the same digit more than once in the same row or column

While it is possible to solve these puzzles with a brute force approach, there is only one solution to each puzzle, so a better approach is to find the only combinations of numbers that can fit logically into the correct boxes.  For instance, if you have a vertical column with two boxes and a total of 3, the only possible numbers that can be used are 1 and 2, but which one goes in the box?   If the horizontal row that this box is in has 2 boxes in the row and a total of 4, then the only options in that row are 1, and 3.  Therefore, the only number that can be played in that box is the number 1.  By finding the combinations with the fewest possible choices and ruling out numbers that could not be used in the cells, it is possible to solve each puzzle without guessing.

The game includes Options such as:
* 'Auto-complete' - auto fills in the answer where only one possible answer can go.  For instance if you have a row with 2 cells in it and a total of 6, if you enter a 5 in one of the cells, this feature will automatically fill in the other box with a 1.   The game remembers that the cell is being auto filled, so if you change your entry from 5 to 4, the game auto enters a 2 in the other box instead.  If you're satisfied with the auto-completed cell, simply click on it and enter the number to lock it in.
* Auto-Notes Mode - With Auto-Notes Mode turned on, the game will fill in the possible numbers for each cell in the notes field of that cell and keep the possible numbers up to date with each change you make.
* 'Show Starting Hint' - If you need help starting a puzzle, the game will show you one row or column to get you started.
* 'Use Sounds' - A keyboard click sound is made each time you enter a number in a cell.  This can be turned off in the settings panel.
* 'Undo' - You can undo your moves all the way back to the beginning of the puzzle.  Be careful though, there is no Redo feature, so use this sparingly if you make a mistake and want to go back a few steps.

We're always working to improve our games and add new features.  Here are a few of the things we're working on for the next version:
 - UI Customization (backgrounds, colors, etc)
 - Multiple active games
 - Social game features such as leaderboards and challenges with friends

## Key features

- Logic puzzle gameplay
- Crossword-style grid
- Math and logic challenges
- Auto-complete feature
- Auto-notes mode
- Show starting hint

## Recent user reviews (9 of 9)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kakuro-cs/id364898509/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Could do better

*2010-10-29*

Inclined to crash when making corrections; reset command does not clear the numbers; does not indicate when lines sum incorrectly (useful on the longer lines).
Not entirely sure that program is accurate.
Other than that not too bad.

### 3/5 — Fix the bugs

*2010-09-26*

Gave it a 3 star rating because of the potential, but the number of bugs... If location location location is important for real estate the equivalent for application development is test test and test.  Get real, forget about feature updates fix the bugs.

### 4/5 — entertaining challenge

*2010-08-21, version 0*

my head hurts in the best way possible.  if you're not into keeping your brain on its toes, this app is not for you.  looking forward to more from dogfish.

### 1/5 — Poor interface

*2010-06-28, version 0*

The pop up interface is lousy. It's way to easy to consistently hit the wrong number or turn on/off markup mode or even accidentally clear your entries.

I like the board options, but rearranging the pop up is an absolute necessity. Here's hoping it's changed in the next version.

### 2/5 — Slow to play

*2010-06-19*

A good app with all the right features, but painfully slow to actually use - the previous review says it all. I've had the app a few days and have yet to complete a puzzle because it's so frustrating to use!

### 3/5 — Too slow

*2010-06-09*

Good puzzles but gameplay is too awkward and time consuming: the slide control to get to the note mode every time the floating panel appears doesn't remember its state and dismissing the panel takes one tap then another tap on a cell to bring it back up. Surely better to have a floating panel that included both note and number fill options (there's plenty of room) that didn't disappear each time you selected a different cell. When the app is timing how long it's taking you to complete it really shouldn't slow you down with it's own mechanism for filling in the cells. And then there's the gratuitous slow animation as the puzzle builds... Frustrating...

### 4/5 — Awesome app! Very well done...

*2010-05-14, version 0*

I just bought this game last night and was about to post a 3 star rating because the game was simply too hard. However, today's update definitely resolves a lot of my issues. 

I still wish that there was a easy-med-hard setting that would determine how many of the cells are answered when you start. I think that this would make a great addition and a 5 star app.

### 2/5 — Pain to enter pencil marks

*2010-04-22, version 0*

You have to manually toggle each individual cell if you're trying to input pencil marks.  Why is there no "universal" pencil mark switch?

### 3/5 — Kakuro cs

*2010-04-10, version 0*

There is a problem with one of the puzzles (1.4). There is a column with a hint = 46, which violates the game logic. This is causing repeatable crashes when I go to the column and try to look at the hint. For other reasons not clear to me, the game has crashed multiple times. Looking forward to the improved version.

## Frequently asked questions about Kakuro CS

### What is Kakuro CS?

Kakuro CS is a logic puzzle game where players fill a grid with numbers that must add up to specific totals in rows and columns. It's often called 'Cross Sums' or 'Cross Addition'.

### How do you play Kakuro CS?

You fill white cells with numbers from 1 to 9 so that the sum of numbers in each row and column matches the clue in the black cells. Digits cannot be repeated within the same row or column.

### What are the key features of Kakuro CS?

Kakuro CS includes helpful features like 'Auto-complete' to fill in single possible answers, 'Auto-Notes Mode' to track possible numbers, and a 'Show Starting Hint' option.

### Is Kakuro CS suitable for beginners?

Yes, the game is described as easy to learn and offers features like hints to help new players get started with the logic puzzles.

### Does Kakuro CS have ads?

No, Kakuro CS does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application.

### What devices does Kakuro CS support?

Kakuro CS is supported on iPads. It was last updated on September 14, 2020.

### What is the price of Kakuro CS?

Kakuro CS is available for a one-time purchase of $1.99.

### What is the age rating for Kakuro CS?

Kakuro CS has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of players.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.1 — 2020-09-14

Updates and bug fixes for improved reliability

### 3.0 — 2017-07-12

Updates for compatibility with latest OS releases
Performance and UI stability improvements

### 2.2 — 2013-10-12

Added an option to "Automatically Update Notes"
Fixed an issue with "Reset Game" option
Fixed a drawing issue when dragging an answer to another cell
Changed look of "Starting Hint" cells when the user turns off the option

### 2.1 — 2013-10-01

Fixes compatibility issue with iOS 7
stability and performance improvements

### 2.0 — 2010-07-27

* Puzzles are now categorized as Easy/Medium/Hard and the new puzzle picker lets you choose a size and difficulty level
* Removed the number entry popup that used to come up when you touched a cell and replaced it with a floating palette that can be moved around to position it conveniently
* Numbers can now be entered by either clicking on the number in the palette, or dragging a number off the palette to a cell
* Moved the view that showed settings, actions, help, and about off the bottom of the screen and onto a toolbar at the top
* At any time, you can show or clear all possible note entries (choose Show all notes to show every possibility for a cell)
* Auto-Notes mode - If auto notes mode is on, after every change, the notes in every cell are automatically updated
* New hints drawer available at the bottom.   Click the tab icon to show or hide the hints
* Major performance improvement - the full UI has been rewritten to simplify it and improve drawing performance

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## More apps by Dogfish Technologies, LLC

- [Kakuro Rally](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kakuro-rally/id391301051)
- [FerryWatch](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ferrywatch/id1013624915)
- [Common Thread Game](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/common-thread-game/id1633268069)
- [Phrase Quest](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phrase-quest/id6448071602)
- [Trilateral Puzzler](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trilateral-puzzler/id6450143256)

All apps by Dogfish Technologies, LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/1197710360

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*