Overview

Bridges

1 player · 5-25 min per session

Draw horizontal/vertical bridges so that each island has exactly the required number of bridge connections and all islands become connected.

Players: 1P Session length: 5-25 min

Puzzle

Goal & Core Rules

Draw horizontal/vertical bridges so that each island has exactly the required number of bridge connections and all islands become connected.

Each numbered island requires that many bridge segments connected to it.
Bridges run straight horizontally or vertically between two islands with no islands in between.
You may draw at most two bridges between the same pair of islands (depending on ruleset).
Bridges cannot cross, and all islands must end up in a single connected group.

Classic

Standard rules with up to two bridges between islands.

Large Grids

10×10, 15×15, and 25×25 layouts add more islands and longer deduction chains.

Dense

Dense presets pack islands closer together, making route management tighter on the same grid size.

Controls

Mouse

Click and drag from one island to another to add or upgrade a bridge
Repeat the same connection to cycle 1 bridge → 2 bridges → removed
Enable Tap Link Mode from the menu or mobile panel to link island A then island B

Keyboard

There is no dedicated keyboard-only bridge input right now.
Use the top menu for restart, new puzzle, and help.

Touch

Use the bottom/right mobile panel to switch between Tap Link and Drag modes.
Tap Link Mode: tap island A, then tap island B to place the bridge.
Use Clear Selection and Hint for faster repeated play on small screens.

Beginner Tips

Start from islands with extreme numbers (1 or 7/8) because their options are limited.
Look for forced bridges: if an island can only connect in two directions, those routes become mandatory.
After each bridge, re-check neighboring islands—counts shrink quickly.

Advanced Tips

Use connectivity: avoid creating isolated subgraphs that can’t be linked later.
Track maximum possible connections for each island based on open directions to detect contradictions early.
When stuck, mark candidate bridges lightly and test them against both counts and global connectivity.

Origins & History

Hashiwokakero (often published in English as Bridges or Hashi) is a Japanese logic puzzle published by Nikoli.

Sources

Hashiwokakero (Bridges) — overview & publishing notes

FAQ

Can bridges cross?

No—crossing bridges are not allowed in standard rules.

Do diagonals count as connections?

No. Bridges are drawn only horizontally or vertically.

Can I reduce or remove a bridge I already placed?

Yes. Repeat the same island-to-island connection to cycle from one bridge to two bridges and then back to zero.

Do I have to connect all islands?

Yes. A valid solution forms one connected network including every island.