Shikaku · Patches · Puzzle
Think in rectangles.
Recto is a calm, candy-bright take on Shikaku, the classic Japanese logic puzzle. Draw rectangles so every number owns exactly that much space, and watch the board bloom into a sweet mosaic.
- 1,100+ levels
- 5 difficulty tracks
- Offline
- Free
Interactive gameplay demo
One number, one patch.
Every clue must live inside exactly one rectangle, and the rectangle's area must equal that number.
Draw the last patch.
Keep scrolling. That 9 needs a 3×3 home.
Shikaku!
Board filled, puzzle solved, confetti earned. On to the next one.
One puzzle. Both pockets.
Recto feels native on iPhone and Android alike, with cloud save on each platform: Game Center on iOS, Play Games on Android. Start on the sofa, finish in the queue.
How to play Shikaku
Three rules. Endless depth.
Read the numbers
Each number tells you the exact area of the rectangle that will contain it. A 6 needs six cells, no more, no less.
Draw rectangles
Drag to draw a patch. Every patch must hold exactly one number and cover exactly that many cells.
Fill the board
When every cell belongs to a patch, the puzzle is solved and the celebration begins.
Why you'll love Recto
A puzzle you can sink into, built with the care of a handmade thing.
1,100+ handcrafted levels
From cozy 4×4 grids to monster 18×18 boards, with a long, gentle ramp from first tap to true mastery.
Five difficulty tracks
Baby, Easy, Medium, Hard and Expert. Each has its own candy color and its own pace.
Smart hints
Stuck? A hint reveals the most logical next patch. A nudge, never a spoiler.
Fully offline
No Wi-Fi, no problem. Recto works on planes, trains, and in the deepest basement.
Cloud save
Progress syncs through Game Center on iOS and Play Games on Android. Your streak survives a new phone.
46 languages
Recto speaks your language, from English and Turkish to Japanese and Korean.
More than a board
Difficulty tracks, daily missions, streaks and rewards keep the rectangles coming.
Frequently asked questions
What is Shikaku?
Shikaku (also written Sikaku, and known as “rectangle division”) is a Japanese logic puzzle popularized by Nikoli. You divide a grid into rectangles so that each rectangle contains exactly one number, and its area equals that number. Cover the whole grid and the puzzle is solved.
How do you play Recto?
Drag on the board to draw a rectangle. A patch is valid when it holds exactly one clue and covers exactly that many cells. Undo any move, use a hint when you're stuck, and fill the whole board to win.
Is Recto free?
Yes. Recto is free to download and play on both iOS and Android.
Does Recto work offline?
Completely. Every level is stored on your device, so you can play without any internet connection.
How many levels are there?
Over 1,100 levels across five difficulty tracks: Baby, Easy, Medium, Hard and Expert. Boards range from gentle 4×4 grids up to giant 18×18.
Does my progress sync between devices?
Yes. Recto saves your progress to the cloud using Game Center on iOS and Google Play Games on Android, so a new phone picks up right where you left off.
Is Shikaku good brain training?
Shikaku exercises logical deduction, arithmetic and spatial reasoning. If you enjoy Sudoku, Nonogram or Kakuro, Recto is a calm, satisfying next puzzle to master.
Ready to think in rectangles?
Download Recto free and solve your first Shikaku in under a minute.
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