By distance from the target first, so an exact hit beats everything. Fewer steps break ties, and the server replays your steps to check the score.
Daily Target is ranked on two things, in this order.
1. Distance from the target
Your result is the number you hold that is closest to the target. An exact hit (distance 0) beats any near miss, and being off by 3 beats being off by 5.
2. Steps
If two players are the same distance away, the one with fewer steps ranks higher. Steps are the operations that built your closest number, plus one for every undo. Reset counts one undo for each step it clears, so backing out is never free (more on undo).
Checked by the server
The page sends the steps you took, not a claimed score. The server replays them against that day’s puzzle and ranks the score it computes, so only legal solutions appear on the board. An exact hit submits automatically; otherwise choose Submit when you are done.
Any submitted attempt, exact or not, counts towards your daily streak. For ways to shorten a route, see the strategy guide.