12 Best Math Puzzle Games To Play in 2025 (Free & Online)
Puzzle games have been around forever, and with how big an interest it is, it has a lot of subgenres. Math puzzle games, in particular, are a classic subgenre that a lot of people flock towards. However, with so many existing math games out there, a player tends to think, "Which ones are the best to play?"
Look no further, as we've listed some of the best math puzzle games to play right here!
Why math games in particular?
All puzzles, in general, are meant to challenge the mind to unravel them; each puzzle subgenre has a different way of poking the brain. Just like how a lot of people prefer to spend their time doing crosswords or daily word games, there's also a significant portion of players who are more comfortable with games that follow mathematical and numerical logic.
Math games offer a different flavor of critical thinking and problem-solving that many people specifically seek out. And in this case, they choose to play games that can be solved with an analytical mindset grounded in numbers and math skills.
If we were to give an analogy on how a math puzzle player feels when they solve a game, it's like enjoying the rhythmic ticking of a clock. You know exactly how the components inside fit each other, and why they create that sound.
How we picked the math games
Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that this list is purely subjective based on our opinion and criteria, and other players/readers may disagree.
What makes a great math game? For us, the puzzles we're going to include in our list hit the following criteria:
- ✅ Free or cheap
- ✅ Accessible
- ✅ Replayability/fun factor
- ✅ Easy to pick up
- ✅ Understandable complexity
- ✅ Skill expression
- ✅ Good number/math mechanic
Math games overview
Here's a brief table of similar games
Game | Skills | Playtime | Modes | Printables | Classroom fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mathler | Mental math, PEMDAS | 2–5 min | Daily, Practice, Levels | ✅ | High (no login required) |
Sumplete | Addition, elimination | 3–7 min | Daily, Unlimited, Levels | ❌ | High (no login required) |
KenKen | Operations, elimination | 5–15+ min | Daily, Unlimited, Levels | ✅ | Very high |
Kakuro | Addition, planning | 10–30+ min | Unlimited, Levels | ✅ | High |
Nerdle | Mental math, placement | 2–5 min | Daily, Custom | ✅ | Medium |
Set | Combinatorics | 3–10 min | Solo/Multiplayer | ✅ | Very high (cards) |
24 Game | Arithmetic speed | 1–3 min | Solo, Multiplayer Time Attack | ✅ | High (cards) |
Killer Sudoku | Sums + logic | 10–30+ min | Unlimited, Levels | ✅ | Medium |
Crossmath | Operators, deduction | 5–15 min | Daily, Levels, PvP | ✅ | Medium |
Hitori | Deduction, scanning | 5–20 min | Unlimited, Levels | ✅ | Medium (no login required) |
2048 | Estimation, doubling | 2–10 min | Unlimited | ❌ | Medium |
Numberle | Mental math, placement | 2-5 min | Daily, Unlimited, Custom | ❌ | Medium |
12 best math puzzle games
Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that this review list is purely subjective based on our internal criteria and personal opinion. Some players/readers may disagree.
Without further ado, here's our list of the best math puzzles to have fun with and that are available online:
1. Mathler
One of the best daily math games out there, it combines arithmetic, order of operations (PEMDAS) and Wordle®'s color-feedback system to create a fun and challenging solving experience that you can do in two to five minutes. Completely free and no signup needed to start playing!
- Daily/Classic Mode and Unlimited Mode
- Color feedback system like Wordle
- Adjustable difficulty levels
- Playable via web browser and e-book
2. Sumplete
A great math game that revolves around addition and elimination, it's one of the first online web games to be made in collaboration with AI. Inspired by classic puzzle games like sudoku,
kakuro and hitori, it's free to play and ideal for beginners.
- Daily Mode and Unlimited Mode
- Addition-based system + elimination
- Adjustable difficulty levels and grid sizes
- Playable via web browser
3. KenKen
An addictive puzzle game with an interesting history, it has Japanese roots and gameplay that combines operation cages with a sudoku-like mechanic. With its prototype being made by a math teacher, it's also a great classroom tool to use for a more interactive learning experience.
- Daily Mode and Unlimited Mode
- Operation cages + sudoku
- Adjustable difficulty levels and grid sizes
- Playable via web browser and app
4. Kakuro
A classic Japanese puzzle that is basically an addition-centric crossword that uses numbers. While not as famous as sudoku as a puzzle game, it is just as fun to play, and can even be a more welcoming game for beginners than sudoku.
- Unlimited Mode
- Number crossword, addition-based
- Adjustable difficulty levels and grid sizes
- Playable via web browser and physical sheets
5. Nerdle
One of the most prominent math games available online, it's inspired by the color-feedback system of Wordle and focuses more on expression building with various operators. Interestingly, this math game is one of Bill Gates's preferred web games.
- Daily Mode and Custom Mode
- Expression building with all basic operators
- Adjustable difficulty levels and a very wide assortment of spin-offs
- Playable via web browser and app
6. Set
A card game that made its boom in the early 90s, it still holds up today very well (especially in a classroom pairing setting) with its gameplay that is rooted in combinatorics—a system in mathematics that is involved with the arrangement and combination of structures via selection.
- Can be played solo, multiplayer or against bots
- Pattern selection + counting
- Fixed gameplay best for social entertainment and learning
- Playable via web browser and physical cards
7. 24 Game
A simple yet challenging game that revolves around an easy-to-grasp premise—make 24. The classic version of it is played on flash cards or sheets, where you're given four integers and four operators. You then have to use them all to hit 24, which is the most difficult part of the game.
- Originally played as either solo or multiplayer time attack, but varying modes now exist
- Pure arithmetic with integers (whole numbers, no decimals)
- Fixed gameplay best for learning and competitions
- Playable via web browser and physical cards
8. Killer Sudoku
A well-known spin-off of the classic sudoku, where the thought "what if sudoku had addition?" is given life. It puts sum cages in the usual sudoku grid, giving the logic puzzle a new layer of mathematics. While similar in appearance to KenKen, Killer Sudoku only deals with addition, while KenKen has addition, subtraction, multiplication and division in its cages.
- Originally played as either solo or multiplayer time attack, but varying modes now exist
- Pure arithmetic with integers (whole numbers, no decimals)
- Adjustable difficulty levels and grid sizes
- Playable via web browser and physical sheets
9. Crossmath®
A game that is another take on the concept of a number-based crossword puzzle. It gives you a grid filled with rows and columns of equations that intersect and have missing cells or tiles in them. Players then have to insert numerical tiles in the right spots to complete the expressions. If we were to simplify it, it's like a mix of Scrabble and crossword with a heavy layer of math.
- Daily Mode and Endless Mode
- Arithmetic + deduction + logic
- Various other features, such as a thematic mode and a competitive lobby
- Playable via app, physical sheets and game boards
10. Hitori
A grid-based numerical game made for solitary play, it's easier to learn and solve compared to the other games in this list. The player must eliminate repeating numbers without ever cutting off a section of the grid, while also avoiding marking numbers that are adjacent to one another horizontally or vertically.
- Unlimited Mode
- Deduction + scanning
- Adjustable grid sizes; grid size is relative to difficulty
- Playable via web browser and physical sheets
11. 2048
A classic web game known for its simple premise—get 2048. Players can slide numbers in any of the cardinal directions within a box to combine matching numbers. The math aspect of this game comes from the doubling mechanic and knowing which numbers to stack together to avoid cramming the limited space. The original game has made a comeback, along with its creator.
- Standard Mode, Classic Mode, Plus Mode
- Estimation + doubling mechanic
- All modes have power-ups that shake up the gameplay, aside from the classic mode
- Playable via web browser and app
12. Numberle
An equation-centric math puzzle, you have to build the expression yourself and get the right results as well. It's highly customizable, and you can alter how many expression slots you want to have in your game and how many operators should be in play. What makes it good is being able to challenge your friends with your own custom equation in just a few clicks.
- Daily Mode, Unlimited Mode, Hard Mode
- Equation setup with operators
- Customizable session with different settings
- Playable via web browser and app
Choosing the right puzzle for critical thinking
There are so many games on this list, where should you start?
You're looking for a quick game:
- Mathler
- 24 Game
- Sumplete (small grid)
- KenKen (small grid)
- Nerdle Jr.
You're looking for a long, satisfying solving time:
- Kakuro
- KenKen (normal/big grid)
- Hitori
- Crossmath
- Nerdle
- Killer Sudoku (normal/big grid)
You're looking for something customizable:
- Nerdle
- Numberle
- KenKen
- Sumplete
You're looking for something on the go:
- Mathler
- 2048
- Nerdle Jr.
You're looking for something viable for a classroom setting:
- Set
- 24 Game
- Mathler (e-book)
- KenKen (sheets)
- Kakuro (sheets)
FAQ
What is the best free math puzzle game online?
You can browse the list above, but if you're looking for a math puzzle game that ticks most, if not all, boxes, then Mathler is up your alley.
Which math puzzle builds mental math speed fastest?
Mathler, 24 Game, Set and Sumplete are good in improving mental math.
What’s the best “math Wordle”?
Mathler and Nerdle are tied head-to-head when it comes to Wordle-likes in this list.
Are these puzzles good for adults?
All of them are, yes. In fact, Kakuro, in particular, is ideal for older players.
Which games work best in classrooms?
Mathler's e-book, 24 Game, Set and Crossmath (if you have the board game version), works well!
Play math puzzles and other similar games today!
We hope that our list was able to help you find the ideal math game for you. If you enjoy playing Mathler and other numerical puzzles, check out our website today and join the discussion on our official Discord server!