How to play Numblitz

Six numbers, four operations, one target. Combine the numbers to hit the target exactly, or get as close as you can. There’s one puzzle a day and it’s the same for everyone.

The rules

1. Every day you get six numbers and a target. Five of the numbers are small (1 to 9) and one is big (10, 25, 50, 75 or 100). The target is between 101 and 999.
2. Pick a number, an operation, then a second number. The result replaces the two numbers you used and becomes a new tile you can keep working with.
3. Use each number at most once. You don’t have to use all six. Most puzzles only need four or five of them.
4. Every result must be a positive whole number. You can’t go below zero, and division only works when it comes out even (12 ÷ 4 is fine, 12 ÷ 5 isn’t).
5. You have up to five steps. Hit the target and the game ends straight away. If you can’t get there, press Submit and your closest number counts.

Made a mistake? Undo takes back your last step and Reset starts over. The clock keeps running, though.

A worked example

Say the numbers are 9 8 6 5 4 25 and the target is 490.

490 ends in 0, so it’s a multiple of 5 and 10. Dividing by 5 gives 98, which is just under 100. That’s a good sign: if you can build 98 from the other numbers, one last multiplication finishes the job.

1. 9 + 8 = 17
2. 17 × 6 = 102close to 100
3. 102 − 4 = 98exactly 490 ÷ 5
4. 98 × 5 = 490bullseye

Four steps, and the 25 was never needed.

Scoring and stats

• Bullseye means you hit the target exactly. Otherwise your result shows how far away you landed.
• Players are ranked by distance first, then time. A bullseye always beats a near miss, and between two bullseyes the faster one wins.
• Today’s players shows how you did against everyone else, once at least 20 people have played that day.
• Your streak counts the days in a row you’ve finished a puzzle. It’s saved in your browser.

Tips and strategy

• Factor the target first. If the target splits neatly (876 = 12 × 73, 490 = 5 × 98), you’ve turned one hard problem into two easy ones.
• Get near, then adjust. Find a multiple of the big number close to the target (7 × 75 = 525), then use the small numbers to close the gap.
• Save a small number for the end. A spare 1, 2 or 3 is often all you need to fix an answer that’s slightly off.
• Division makes small numbers. Two 8s make a 1 (8 ÷ 8) and an 8 and a 4 make a 2. That can be exactly the piece you’re missing.
• Don’t chase every number. Using all six is never required, and forcing them in usually makes things worse.
• A near miss still counts. If time is running away from you, landing 2 away beats giving up at 40 away.

Keyboard shortcuts

+ - * / choose an operation, Backspace undoes your last step and Esc clears your selection. Numbers are picked with a click or a tap.

FAQ

When does a new puzzle come out?

Every day at 00:00 UTC. That’s 03:00 in Istanbul, around midnight in London and the evening before in the Americas. The countdown under your result shows exactly how long is left.

Is every puzzle solvable?

Yes. Every target is checked before it’s published, and each one needs at least three steps. One possible solution is shown after you finish.

Can I play again or play past puzzles?

Not yet. You get one attempt per day, which keeps the daily stats fair. An archive is on our list.

How do you stop cheating?

The server replays every move you submit against the real puzzle, so made-up scores are rejected. Only your first attempt each day counts.

My streak disappeared.

Streaks are stored in your browser. Clearing your browsing data, using a private window or switching devices starts a new one.