Number Puzzle

How to play and print number puzzles

1. Click the Sum grid or Number pyramid chip to choose a puzzle type.
2. Set the Grid size (sum grid) or Pyramid height (pyramid). Then choose Numbers used and Difficulty. For younger children, choose Numbers used: 1 to 5.
3. Press New puzzle to make a fresh puzzle.
4. In the sum grid, tap or click a number to cross it out. Tap it again to bring it back. Each total turns green when its row or column is right.
5. In the number pyramid, type a number into each empty brick. You can type up to 3 digits.
6. Press Check to see what is wrong so far, Hint to get one correct step, Show solution to reveal the answer, or Clear to start the same puzzle again.

The status line under the puzzle shows how many rows and columns, or how many bricks, are still to do. To keep the exact puzzle you are working on, press Copy link. The link reopens the same type, size, numbers, difficulty and puzzle code. To print, open Print a worksheet, choose from 1 to 12 puzzles, and select Letter or A4 paper. Then press Print / Save PDF (with answer page) or Print without answers. In the print window, choose Save as PDF if you want a file instead of paper.

What is a number puzzle

A number puzzle is a puzzle in which you use arithmetic, usually adding or subtracting, to find numbers that follow a set of rules. The two puzzles on this page work this way. In the sum grid, you keep the numbers that add up to each total. In the number pyramid, you find the bricks that make each sum.

Every puzzle here has exactly one correct answer, so there is only one way to finish it. A new puzzle is made each time you press New puzzle, and the program checks it before you see it. That means every puzzle can be solved by working step by step. The numbers are small, so the puzzles suit children learning sums as well as adults.

How do you solve a number puzzle

Start with the part that gives you a clear answer. Use that answer to work out the next part.

In the sum grid, look at the totals first. A number bigger than its row total or column total must be crossed out. Small totals tell you a lot, because only a few numbers can add up to them. Keep checking each row and column as you cross out numbers.

In the number pyramid, each brick is the sum of the two bricks directly under it. If you know a brick and one of the two under it, subtract to find the other. If you know both bricks under it, add them to find the brick above. Work up from the bottom and down from the top, whichever has known bricks.

Here is a worked example. The bottom row is 4, 2, 9, 5. The row above is 4 + 2 = 6, 2 + 9 = 11 and 9 + 5 = 14. The next row is 6 + 11 = 17 and 11 + 14 = 25. The top brick is 17 + 25 = 42. If a puzzle shows 42, 17, 14 and 4, you can find 25 by subtracting 17 from 42, then find 11 by subtracting 14 from 25. From there, adding and subtracting fill in the rest.

Frequently asked questions

What is the puzzle with numbers called?

Most people call it a number puzzle. The two types on this page are the sum grid, where you cross out numbers to match totals, and the number pyramid, where each brick is the sum of the two below it. Hidden-number search puzzles are a different kind, and you can find them on the home page.

How do you solve a sum grid?

Cross out numbers so that the numbers left in each row and column add up to the total beside or under it. In the 3 x 3 example, the numbers are 7 3 5, 3 2 7 and 8 5 8, with row totals 5, 5 and 13 and column totals 3, 7 and 13. The only solution keeps 5 in the first row, 3 and 2 in the second, and 5 and 8 in the third. Use Check to see which lines still do not match, or Hint to set one number correctly.

How do you solve a number pyramid?

Find a brick you already know, then subtract to find a missing brick under it. Add two known bricks to find the brick above them. Keep working up and down until every empty brick is filled. If you get stuck, press Hint to fill in one empty brick and see the pattern.

Can I print number puzzles for kids with answers?

Yes. Open Print a worksheet, choose 1 to 12 puzzles, select Letter or A4 paper, then press Print / Save PDF (with answer page). Each sheet has a title, name and date line, with six puzzles per page (four for 5 x 5 and larger). Printouts are yours to use for personal, school, classroom and business purposes. You may not resell them as a stand-alone product, and no credit line is required.

Are these children’s number puzzles suitable for young children?

Yes. For young children, choose Numbers used: 1 to 5 (younger children), 3 x 3 grids or 3-row pyramids, and Easy difficulty. The puzzles use small numbers to add and subtract. Parents and teachers can print a worksheet with an answer page to check the work.

Is it free and is anything uploaded?

Yes. The tool is free and needs no sign-up. Everything runs in your web browser, and nothing is uploaded or sent to a server. It works on phones, tablets and computers.

Related tools

• Number search puzzle: use it when you want to find hidden numbers in a grid instead of solving sums.
• Number search puzzle printable pack maker: use it to print a pack of number search sheets for a class or home.
• Cross number puzzle: use it for a crossword-style puzzle where the numbers fill across and down.
• Number words word search: use it when you want number names hidden in a word search.
• Geometry word search: use it for a word search on shapes and geometry terms.