NYT Digits – Play the Daily Digits Math Puzzle Free
How to play Digits
Reach the target number using six starting numbers and the four basic operations. Every day brings five targets, each harder than the last, and you earn up to three stars on each.
The rules
- 1 Tap a number, then an operation (+ − × ÷), then a second number. Both are replaced by the result.
- 2 Results must be whole, positive numbers. Division only works when it comes out even.
- 3 Each number can be used once, and you don’t have to use all six.
- 4 Took a wrong turn? Undo steps back one move at a time.
An example
The target is 77 and your numbers are 2, 3, 5, 8, 10 and 25.
Tap 25, then ×, then 3. The two tiles merge into 75.
Tap 75, then +, then 2. The result is 77.
That’s the target. Three stars in two moves, and 5, 8 and 10 were never needed.
Stars
Can’t hit the target? Press Submit closest and you’re scored on the number nearest to it.
Five puzzles a day
The tabs at the top show today’s five targets, from a warm-up to a tough final one. Switch between them whenever you like. Your progress on each is saved, and a perfect day is worth 15 stars.
Tips
- Work backwards. If the target is 96, look for a pair that makes 8 and 12, or 4 and 24.
- Get close with multiplication first, then fine-tune with addition and subtraction.
- Small numbers are precious. Save a 1 or 2 for the final nudge.
- Exact answers often take three or four moves on the harder puzzles. Try a few routes before submitting.
About the game
Digits is a quick arithmetic puzzle: six numbers, four operations and one target. It first appeared as a short-lived New York Times beta puzzle in 2023, and NYTDigits.org keeps the idea going with a fresh daily set of five and an unlimited mode.
There is no timer. Every puzzle can be solved exactly, often in more than one way, and the last two targets of the day reward players who plan a few moves ahead.
FAQ
A math puzzle where you combine six numbers with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to reach a target. Each day has five targets, from a quick warm-up to a tough final one.
Hitting the target exactly earns 3 stars. If you submit a number within 10 of the target you get 2 stars, and within 25 gets 1 star. A perfect day is worth 15 stars.
No. Use as many or as few as you need. Each number can only be used once, and every result you make can be used again in a later step.
Results must be whole, positive numbers. Subtraction has to leave more than zero, and division only works when it comes out even.
Yes. Every target on NYTDigits.org has been checked by a solver, and after you finish a puzzle we show one of the shortest ways to make it.
Daily is the same five puzzles for everyone, reset at midnight in your local time. Unlimited gives you a new set of five whenever you want one.
No. The New York Times tested Digits as a beta puzzle in 2023 and then retired it. NYTDigits.org is an independent fan-made version with the same rules and a fresh daily set.
Everyone who has finished at least one of today’s puzzles. Each person is counted once and nothing about you is stored.