How to Play Number Yard

How to play Number Yard

Number Yard is a 3 × 3 grid filled with the numbers 1 to 9, each used once. Some squares are already printed. Place the rest from the tray so every row and every column adds up to the total beside it.

Step by step

Check the totals. Row totals sit at the left of each row; column totals sit above each column.
Tap a number in the tray, then tap an empty square to place it.
To take a number back, tap its square without a tray number selected. To move it, select it in the tray again and tap a different square.
Watch the totals. A tick appears when a row or column matches its target.
Place every tray number with all totals matching to finish the puzzle.

Example: three numbers to place

151515152761595115438

Every total in this yard is 15, and the tray holds 5, 7 and 8.
The top row reads 2, ?, 6. 2 + 6 = 8, so the gap needs 7.
The bottom row reads 4, 3, ?. 4 + 3 = 7, so the gap needs 8.
Only 5 is left, and it goes in the centre. Check: the middle row 9 + 5 + 1 = 15 and the middle column 7 + 5 + 3 = 15.

Scoring and winning

There are no points. The puzzle is solved when every square is filled and every row and column matches its total.
The clock starts on your first move and stops when the yard is confirmed.
You get one hint per puzzle. Hints used are shown with your result.
Easy days have 3–4 numbers to place, medium days 4–5 and hard days 5–6.
Solving today's yard on consecutive days builds your streak. Archive puzzles add to your totals but never change your daily streak, so you can catch up on missed days without gaming it.

Strategy tips

Start with the line that has only one empty square. Its missing number is simply the total minus the numbers already there.
Use both directions. A square belongs to one row and one column, so it has to satisfy both totals at once.
Each number appears once in the whole grid. If a total needs a number that's already placed, the gap needs a different combination.
Save the hint for when two lines both have several gaps and no obvious starting point.

Common mistakes

Filling a row so it matches but breaks a column. Check the column tick after every placement.
Forgetting the printed numbers. They count towards the totals and can't be moved.
Using the hint early. There's only one, and later squares are usually harder.

Frequently asked questions

What does the hint show?: It highlights the first empty square, reading left to right and top to bottom, and tells you which number belongs there.
Can there be more than one answer?: No. Every puzzle is checked before it's published to make sure only one arrangement works.
What does Clear do?: It returns every number you've placed to the tray. Printed numbers stay where they are.
Is any multiplication or division involved?: No. Every total is a sum of whole numbers from 1 to 9.

Missed a day? Browse the Number Yard archive.