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Lizely

Number Fill-In Puzzle

Complete a compact number grid so every row and column contains 1, 2, and 3 exactly once.

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How to use

  1. 1.Move through the grid with the arrow keys and press 1, 2, or 3 to fill a cell.
  2. 2.Keep every placed number unique within its row and column; Delete clears a mistake.
  3. 3.Fill all six editable cells so each row and column contains 1, 2, and 3 exactly once.

About Number Fill-In Puzzle

Number Fill-In Puzzle is a compact three by three logic grid with one transparent goal: every row and every column must contain 1, 2, and 3 exactly once. Three diagonal 1s are fixed as givens. Fill the remaining six cells without repeating a placed number in any row or column.

This is a disclosed Lizely product fixture rather than a claim about an external puzzle standard or dataset. The grid size, permitted digits, givens, row and column constraints, validation behavior, and scoring are all defined on this page and covered by the independent logic test.

Move the visible selection with the arrow keys. Press 1, 2, or 3 to fill the selected editable square. Backspace or Delete clears it. Mouse and touch users can click an editable cell to cycle through the same three values. Given cells use a contrasting surface and cannot be changed.

A valid solution reads 1-2-3, 3-1-2, and 2-3-1 across the rows. The reverse orientation is also accepted when it satisfies the same disclosed constraints; the validator checks the rules, not a hidden answer string. Six correct fills complete the board and score 940 from a starting score of 1,000.

Validation runs after every edit. Zeros are treated as empty cells. Any repeated nonzero digit in a row or column is an immediate contradiction, while incomplete rows with distinct placed digits remain valid. Completion requires nine filled cells, intact givens, no duplicates, and a total of 6 on every row and column.

The independent test fixture proves the disclosed solution, six-action completion, final score, altered-given rejection, duplicate-row deadlock, invalid-grid rejection, and keyboard cursor movement. This separates an actually playable path from a board that merely looks solvable.

The interface is a semantic CSS grid rather than a canvas. Each cell announces its row, column, given or editable state, value, and current keyboard selection. Colors, borders, warnings, and focus outlines use the site's CSS variables.

Restart restores the three givens, clears all six editable cells, resets the selection and score, and removes any contradiction. A completed best score is stored only in this browser. Double-press Escape for the shared simulated spreadsheet boss screen, then repeat the gesture to resume the same puzzle.

Methodology & sources

The validator scans six three-cell lines: three rows and three columns. Nonzero values must be integers from 1 through 3 and unique within each line. Completion additionally requires all nine cells filled, the three givens unchanged, and each line total equal to 6. Score is max(0, 1000 minus 10 times edit actions).

Frequently asked questions

Can I change the dark given cells?
No. The three diagonal 1s are fixed clues and the validator requires them to remain intact.
Why does a contradiction appear before the grid is full?
Two equal placed digits in the same row or column can never satisfy the final rule, so the conflict is reported immediately.
Is there only one accepted arrangement?
No. Any completed grid that preserves the givens and contains 1, 2, and 3 once in every row and column is accepted.
How is the score calculated?
The game starts at 1,000 and subtracts 10 for each editable-cell change. The clean six-fill route scores 940.

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