NumberFlow

How to Play NumberFlow — Rules & Examples

Start on any cell of the 5×5 number grid and connect a path through adjacent cells (up, down, left, right) without reusing a cell. Make the digits on your path add up to exactly the target. The winning path links 4 to 8 cells — and every day has exactly one solution.

Play today’s puzzle

The rules

  1. Tap or drag from any cell to start your path.
  2. Move to an adjacent cell (up, down, left or right) — diagonals don't connect, and you can't reuse a cell.
  3. Watch the running sum AND the length. Hit exactly the target using a path of 4–8 cells — that's the day's one unique solution. A right sum with the wrong length won't solve it.
  4. Use Undo to step back or Reset to start over. Everyone worldwide gets the same puzzle each day (UTC).

Reading the path state

On trackYour running sum is still at or below the target and every step is legal — keep extending the path.
Target hitYour path sum equals the target. It only solves when the path is also 4–8 cells long — the day's unique length.
Right sum, wrong lengthThe digits add up to the target, but the path is outside the 4–8-cell window, so it can't be the day's solution. Add or undo cells to land in range.
Over the targetYour running sum went above the target (or the step was illegal). Back up and try a different route.

The running sum and a glyph always accompany the color, so you can solve every puzzle without relying on color.

A worked example

Target 17. The numbers in the highlighted cells show the connect order. Connect an adjacent path whose digits total 17 in this 3×3 grid.

  1. Step 1. To reach 17 in just a few cells we will need the big digits — the center 5 and the 6 below it stand out.
  2. Step 2. Start at the top-right 4 and step down to the 2 beneath it (running sum 6).
  3. Step 3. Step left into the center 5 (running sum 11).
  4. Step 4. Step down into the 6 (running sum 17). The four connected cells 4, 2, 5, 6 total exactly 17 — solved.

FAQ

Is there an attempt limit?
No. You can try as many routes as you like on the daily puzzle — there is no cap. Your time and number of tries are shown at the end just for your own record.
Can the path move diagonally?
No. Cells connect only along shared edges — up, down, left and right. Diagonal cells are not adjacent.
Can I reuse a cell?
No. Each cell appears at most once on your path, so the route never crosses itself.
When does a new puzzle appear?
At midnight UTC. Everyone in the world plays the same grid and target for that UTC day, which is why the date is shown in UTC.
Is the feedback color-only?
No. The running sum readout (a number) plus a glyph (→ on track, ✓ target hit, ✕ over) always accompanies the color, so the puzzle is fully solvable without color perception.
Does sharing my result spoil the answer?
No. The share text contains only your path length, the target and your try count — never the route, so it never spoils the puzzle.
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