Game guide
How to play Sum Maze
In Sum Maze you lead a path from the start cell to the end cell. The numbers on the cells it passes through must add up exactly to the target.
Updated on October 5, 2026
The rules in 3 lines
- 01
From start to end
The path starts at the top-left cell and ends at the bottom-right one.
- 02
Sideways only, no repeats
Move up, down, left or right (never diagonally), without visiting the same cell twice.
- 03
Sum equals target
Reach the end with the sum equal to the target and the level is done. Go over the target and the sum turns red.
How to play
On your phone
- Drag your finger from cell to cell, starting at the start.
- Or tap the cell next to the end of the path.
- Going back to the previous cell undoes; tapping a cell on the path cuts the path back to it.
- Undo, Restart and Hint sit below the grid.
On a keyboard
- ← ↑ → ↓ extend the path to the next cell.
- Moving back to the previous cell undoes; so does Backspace.
- Esc closes the “⋯” menu.
Step-by-step example
A 3×3 grid with target 15. The gold-outlined cells are the start (top left) and the end (bottom right).
Target 15
Path
The shortest path almost never works:
Got 12
Beginner strategies
- Compare the target with the straight path. If the target is much higher, you will need to wind around; if it is close, detour a little.
- Work out what is left. Check the sum on the scoreboard and think about how much you still need before the end.
- Plan the finish. The last cells before the end fine-tune the total; keep one or two options open.
- Use the Hint when stuck. It rolls the path back to where it still works and lights up the next two cells of a solution in gold.
Common mistakes
- Boxing yourself into a corner. Since cells cannot repeat, a careless path may no longer reach the end.
- Forgetting the start and end cells. Their numbers count toward the sum too.
- Pushing on with a red sum. Once past the target, there is no way back: undo a few steps.
Levels and scoring
The levels never run out: the grid grows from 3×3 to 6×6, and the numbers go from 1–5 up to 1–9. Every level has a path that hits the target, and the shortest straight path never does. Level 15 is the same for everyone. Your best is the number of levels completed.
Frequently asked questions
No. Any path from start to end that hits the target counts.
No. Only to the cell above, below, left or right.
Completed levels are saved on this device. A level left halfway starts over.
Practice makes you faster at adding in this game. There is no evidence it changes your IQ.
IQNorth games are a pastime with a challenge. Practice makes you better at this game; it does not raise your IQ or your memory, and nothing here is a consultation with a psychologist. The games are in the member area.
Guides for the other games
Sudoku · Word search · Sun and Moon · Colors · Sequence · 2048 · Challenges · Blocks · Pairs · One Line · Shape Fit · Pipes
Was this helpful?
Thanks for letting us know.