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Easy magic square

An easy magic square is a 3 by 3 grid with several numbers already placed, so the lines settle quickly. Every row, column and diagonal adds to 15, and each puzzle has exactly one completion.

Larger grids with fewer givens are harder. Every puzzle has one completion.

3×3 grid. Fill it with 1 to 9 so every row, column and diagonal sums to 15.

Two pages: the puzzle and its completed answer. Every puzzle has one solution, checked by the same engine as our KDP studio.

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Preview

How to solve a magic square

Fill the grid with each number from 1 to N² once so every row, column and both diagonals add up to the same total.

The method

  1. 1Find the magic total. For an N by N grid the total is N × (N² + 1) ÷ 2, printed under the grid, so a 3 by 3 is 15 and a 4 by 4 is 34.
  2. 2Start where a line is nearly full. A row, column or diagonal with only one empty square is forced: the missing number is the total minus the others.
  3. 3Use each number once. Every value from 1 to N² appears exactly once, so cross off numbers as you place them and you narrow the choices fast.
  4. 4Cross rows with columns. A square has to satisfy its row, its column and any diagonal it sits on. Where only one unused number fits all of them, lock it in.
The one rule
Use 1 to N² once each so every row, column and both diagonals share the same sum.
What the answer page shows
The fully completed square is printed at the back.
How the grades differ
Bigger grids and fewer given numbers mean more to deduce before the grid settles.
Good for
Solvers who enjoy arithmetic and a tidy, self-checking grid.

Making a whole magic square book?

This page makes one puzzle. To publish a book on Amazon KDP, the KDP magic square maker generates hundreds of graded puzzles at any trim, as a print-ready 300 DPI interior and solutions PDF. Generate once, export unlimited sizes.

More printable magic squares

See every printable magic square

Questions

Are these easy magic square free to print?
Yes. Generate the puzzle above and print it with its answer, at no cost and with no sign-up. It is free for classroom, home and personal use.
Does every puzzle have one solution?
Yes. Every puzzle is generated and checked so the given numbers fix exactly one completion, verified before it prints. The answer is on the second page.
Can I make a magic square book to sell on KDP?
Yes. The free tool makes one puzzle. The KDP magic square maker generates hundreds of graded puzzles at any KDP trim, as a print-ready 300 DPI interior and solutions PDF, so you can publish a book.

Publish a magic square book

Hundreds of graded puzzles, any KDP trim, print-ready PDFs. Start free.