Quick Refresher: How Do I Play Sumplete?

Here’s a short, two-step guide on how to play Sumplete:

1. Cross out numbers in each row and column so that the sum of each line equals the corresponding sum clue. Sum clues can be found to the right of each row and at the bottom of each column.
2. When all of the sum clues have been solved, you win!

How to Play Sumplete →

The 7 Most Common Sumplete Mistakes

Sumplete mistakes at a glance — why they happen and how to fix

Mistake	Why it happens	Quick fix	Speed saver
Clearing a line too early	Overconfidence when close to target	Leave one candidate until intersections confirm	Auto-mark only after checks
Ignoring smallest targets	Eyes jump to big numbers	Order: 0s → lowest three targets → rest	Two-pass small-target sweep
No re-scan after a solve	Momentum to next line	Crosshair zeroing on intersections	2-second intersection sweep
Rushing big targets	Perceived urgency	Run ceiling checks; wait for intersects	Act after two lines change
Skipping residual tracking	No running total	Track residual = target − kept sum	Near-zero? stop clearing
Not using auto-mark	Manual mis-clicks	Select cells → click sum clue	Auto-mark after confident sets
Mixing keep vs cross	Visual clutter	Keep circles first; crosses last	Undo mis-taps immediately

Mistake 1 — Clearing a Line Too Early

• Why it happens: Players will develop a sense of overconfidence once a row or column is close to matching the sum clue, causing them to eliminate too many viable candidates from that line early in the game.
• How to avoid: Leave one candidate (or candidate pairing) in addition to your best guess. After you determine the correct combination of numbers in the grouping by cross-referencing them with intersecting lines, you can go back and cross out the invalid values. You might also want to use keep circles as indicators of which values you wish to mark as potentially viable candidates.
• Speed saver: Auto-mark lines ONLY after your intersection checks to avoid having to manually eliminate cells.

Mistake 2 — Ignoring the Smallest Targets at the Beginning of the Game

• Why it happens: Some players' eyes naturally tend to drift toward big numbers — they view those numbers as a challenge, so they try to tackle the hard ones first, with the idea that this will make the game easier as they progress.
• How to avoid: When it comes to sum clues, prioritize 0s, and then the lowest values on the board; they will be the easiest lines to solve, and they will also help you solidify sections of your board.
• Speed saver: When the game begins, try to remain laser-focused on finding sum clues of 0 before shifting your attention to the three next lowest sum clues on the board.

Mistake 3 — Not Rescanning After Solving a Line

• Why it happens: Players attempt to solve another line without considering how the previous solve may provide them with critical information that can help them elsewhere on the board.
• How to avoid: Adopt crosshair zeroing — when a line is solved, immediately rescan all intersecting lines for any definitive eliminations or selections that may have emerged as a result.
• Speed saver: Do a 2-second intersection sweep after solving each line.

Mistake 4 — Rushing Big Targets Early

• Why it happens: As mentioned before, some players think prioritizing the lines with the highest sum clues will make the game easier, when in reality, it often leads to mis-clears and other mistakes.
• How to avoid: Solve for smaller targets first and run ceiling checks when solving for higher sum clues — if a line’s two highest cells exceed the target when added together, one must be eliminated at a minimum (and you can use intersecting lines to help make your decision!).
• Speed saver: Hold off on solving your higher sum clues until at least two intersecting lines are solved.

Mistake 5 — Skipping Residual Tracking

• Why it happens: Players fail to keep a mental running total for each line, resulting in some lines appearing solved when they still contain unaddressed residual cells.
• How to avoid: After any change to the board, return to your residual cells and determine if any can be grouped in pairs or triples to match the value of the sum clue.
• Speed saver: When the sum of residuals is getting close to zero, this is a sign to stop eliminating cells and assess your viable options for that line.

Mistake 6 — Not Using Auto-Mark on the Sum Clue

• Why it happens: Manually marking cells results in mis-clicks and wasted time.
• How to avoid: Select your desired cells, then click the sum clue to auto-mark the rest of the cells in the line.
• Speed saver: Use auto-mark after each line you solve with confidence for fewer mis-taps.

Mistake 7 — Mixing up “Keep” vs “Cross” Markers

• Why it happens: Visual clutter can sometimes lead to players accidentally crossing out numbers they need to solve the board.
• How to avoid: Use keep circles for likely cells (your main guesses and at least one other set of candidates) and reserve crosses for values you are certain require elimination; if you mis-tap, simply undo the move.
• Speed saver: Implement keep circles first, then make your eliminations.

What Should My Sumplete Recovery Protocol Be?

Below is a 30-second “get unstuck” checklist that you should use as a recovery protocol after having to reset a game due to mistakes:

1. Rescan for sum clues of 0.
2. Use crosshair zeroing after completing a row or column to solve the intersecting lines.
3. Update residuals on 2–3 lines that are closest to being solved.
4. Check for any pairs or triples from the residual cells that equate to the sum clue, then auto-mark the line when you’ve locked in your answer.
5. If you are still stuck, undo the last 1–2 actions or clear the board and replay your first three moves slower.

What are Some Sumplete Speed Drills I Can Practice?

Use the practice drills below in two-minute intervals to improve your speed:

• Drill A: Using two lines only, practice returning to said lines to check on the status of your residual cells after each move.
• Drill B: Practice your intersecting moves by attempting to solve the lines with the three smallest sum clues first. Then check each of the intersections of those three lines.
• Drill C: “No crossings” — on your first pass, only use keep circles to select your primary guesses and potential candidates. Only after you’ve progressed through the entire board using this approach should you return to issue your first set of eliminations.

Try the drills on 5×5 first, then move to 7×7.

FAQ

FAQ — Sumplete mistakes & speed

Question	Answer (concise)
Can I undo a move?	Yes. Click a crossed cell once to revert it, or click a kept circle once to clear it. A quick second click re-applies the previous state.
What’s a good time for 5×5 and 7×7?	5×5: about 2–4 minutes for most players. 7×7: roughly 6–10 minutes. Focus on consistent improvement over absolute times.
Is there a perfect order to solve lines?	No single order fits all boards. A strong heuristic is 0s first, then the smallest targets, re-scanning intersections after each solve.
How do I avoid dead boards?	Leave at least one candidate per line until intersections confirm. Don’t finalize a line without checking both directions.

Play Today’s 5×5 →

Try 7×7 Master →

Bookmark this page so you can review the 30-second “get unstuck” protocol before attempting tough boards!