Number Crunch
Click squares to raise their numbers and pop groups of three, clearing the day's grid in as few moves as you can.
Every day: One numbered grid of digits a day, generated from the date in US Eastern time so everyone gets the same board, to clear in as few clicks as possible. New puzzle: Midnight US Eastern time.
Number Crunch is a daily number puzzle by Jason Cashdollar. Each click raises a square's number by one, and three or more touching squares with the same number pop; the aim is to clear the day's shared grid in as few clicks as possible.
About Number Crunch
Number Crunch looks like a match-three game but plays like a puzzle. The board is a grid of numbered squares from 1 to 9. Clicking a square increases its number by one, and 9 wraps round to 1. Whenever three or more adjacent squares show the same number, they pop and disappear. Your score is the number of clicks you used, plus three for every square left over at the end, so lower is better.
The board is generated from a seed based on the puzzle number, which counts days since the game began in January 2026 using US Eastern time. Everyone playing on the same day therefore gets the same grid and can compare scores. After a game you can share your moves, see how you did, and try again; the best result of the day earns a spot in the Crown Room.
It suits players who like short optimisation puzzles where planning a few moves ahead pays off.
How to play Number Crunch
- Open Number Crunch to load today's grid.
- Click a square to raise its number by one; a 9 wraps round to 1.
- Make three or more adjacent squares show the same number so they pop.
- Clear as much of the board as you can in as few clicks as possible; each leftover square adds three to your score.
Tips
- Look for squares that are one or two clicks away from matching a neighbouring pair.
- Raising a 9 turns it into a 1, which can be a cheap way to join a group of 1s.
- Plan the order of pops: clearing one group can leave stragglers that are expensive to fix.
- A single leftover square costs three, so sometimes it is cheaper to leave one than to chase it.
Questions
Is the Number Crunch grid the same for everyone?
Yes. It is generated from the daily puzzle number, counted in US Eastern time.
How is Number Crunch scored?
By the number of clicks you make, plus three points for each square left on the board. Lower is better.
When does a new puzzle appear?
At midnight US Eastern time.
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