GridPaw · Cat Logic Puzzle Games
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GridPaw: Free ShikakuPuzzle Game Online

Mistakes: 0
0:00
Drag to draw rectangles
Daily Challenge · 6×6
🔥 Keep your streak alive
Play Now

Detective’s Wall

Cleared a level? Leave a note for the other detectives.

🎉 Nice! That's how Shikaku works

Tips & Techniques

Start with prime numbers — their 1×N shape is forced — then work from corners and the largest clues. Each rectangle's area must match its number exactly, and forced placements come first.

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Prime Numbers

2, 3, 5, 7 can only form 1×N rectangles. Place them first — their shape is forced.

🔲

Rectangle Shapes

A "6" can be 1×6, 2×3, 3×2, or 6×1. Learn which shapes fit where.

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Area Rules

Each rectangle's area must equal its number. No more, no fewer.

📚 Read all techniques →  ·  Replay tutorial

Level Guides

GridPaw Tutorial puzzle — 3×3 Shikaku grid
Beginner

Tutorial Puzzles — Getting Started

3×3 grids with guided hints. Learn rectangle placement, area rules, and elimination basics.

GridPaw Easy puzzle — 5×5 Shikaku grid
Easy

Easy Puzzles — Build Confidence

5×5 grids with simple shapes. Practice prime numbers and corner strategies at your own pace.

GridPaw Medium puzzle — 5×6 Shikaku grid
Medium

Medium Puzzles — Core Techniques

5×6 grids with complex shapes. Master prime numbers, corner strategies, and multi-step deduction.

GridPaw Medium-Hard puzzle — 6×6 Shikaku grid
Medium-Hard

Medium-Hard — Multi-Step

6×6 grids. Combine multiple techniques and plan several moves ahead.

GridPaw Hard puzzle — 7×8 Shikaku grid
Hard

Hard Puzzles — Advanced Logic

7×8 grids requiring deep reasoning. Chain eliminations, overlap detection, and forced placements.

GridPaw Daily Challenge — 10×10 Shikaku grid
Daily

Daily Challenge — Super Hard

10×10 puzzle seeded by date. Same puzzle worldwide — compare your time with friends.

GridPaw in Numbers

∞Free puzzles, procedurally generated
3Puzzle types — Shikaku, Akari & Pictomino
0Ads during gameplay
15Cat expressions per solved rectangle

From Tutorial 3×3 to Legend 8×8 — every puzzle has a unique logic-only solution.

GridPaw mobile game — Shikaku puzzle on phone

Get the App

Play GridPaw anywhere, anytime. Add to your home screen for offline support, no browser bars, and instant launch.

GridPaw: Free ShikakuPuzzle Game Online

GridPaw is a free Shikaku puzzle game with adorable cat visuals. Draw rectangles on a numbered grid so each rectangle covers exactly the number of cells shown. It's the classic Shikaku (rectangle partition) puzzle by Nikoli — the same company behind Sudoku — reimagined with cats.

Whether you're new to Shikaku or a seasoned solver, GridPaw offers unlimited procedurally generated puzzles across 7 difficulty levels, from Tutorial 3×3 to Legend 8×8. Every puzzle has a unique solution reachable by pure logic — no guessing required.

How to PlayShikaku

The rules of Shikaku are simple:

That's it — no math beyond multiplication. The challenge is figuring out which shapes fit where when multiple numbers compete for space.

Shikaku Difficulty Levels

Why Play Shikaku at GridPaw?

Unlike many puzzle sites, GridPaw has no ads during gameplay, no paywalls, and no registration. Every puzzle is free, every solution is unique, and every solve ends with a cute cat celebration. The Daily Challenge gives you a reason to come back every day with a fresh 6×6 puzzle and streak tracking.

If you enjoy Sudoku, KenKen, or other logic puzzles, Shikaku offers a refreshing change with spatial reasoning instead of arithmetic. The rectangle partition mechanic is easy to learn but rewards deep thinking — perfect for a coffee break or a long session.

📚 Guides & Tools

Shikaku Rules Complete rule breakdown with examples How to Play Complete beginner's walkthrough Tips & Strategy Beginner to advanced techniques Online Solver Stuck? Get the answer instantly Daily Challenge New puzzle every day with streaks

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GridPaw free to play?
Yes! GridPaw is completely free. No download, no account, no payment. Just open the page and start solving Shikaku puzzles.
What is a Shikaku puzzle?
Shikaku (also called rectangle partition) is a Japanese logic puzzle where you draw rectangles on a numbered grid. Each rectangle must contain exactly one number, and the rectangle's area must equal that number. GridPaw is the cat-themed version!
How is Shikaku different from Sudoku?
Both are logic puzzles, but Shikaku uses spatial reasoning (drawing rectangles) instead of number placement. If you like Sudoku's deduction, you'll enjoy Shikaku's area-based thinking.
Where should beginners start?
Start with the Tutorial level (3×3 grid) which teaches the rules step by step, then try Easy 5×5 puzzles. Check our How to Play guide for a complete walkthrough.
Does GridPaw have a daily challenge?
Yes! A new 6×6 Shikaku puzzle is generated every day at midnight UTC. Everyone worldwide gets the same puzzle. Track your streak and earn the Week Warrior badge at 7 consecutive days.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes! GridPaw works on any device with a browser. Drag to draw rectangles on desktop, or swipe on mobile. The grid automatically resizes to fit your screen.
What are the cat blocks?
When you correctly place a rectangle, it turns into a cute cat block with a random color and expression. There are 15 different cat expressions and 8 colors — no two rectangles look the same!
Is there a solver for when I'm stuck?
Yes! Visit the Online Solver page. Enter your puzzle's numbers and the solver will find the unique solution using backtracking.
How many levels are there?
Unlimited! GridPaw procedurally generates puzzles, so you'll never run out. There are 7 difficulty tiers from Tutorial (3×3) to Legend (8×8), plus a daily challenge.

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