Puzzle

#0

Type 1–9 to fill · Space toggles pencil · Backspace clears Arrow keys move
Instructions

How to play Sudoku

Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 × 3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 exactly once. No arithmetic is involved and every puzzle has one solution, reachable by logic alone.

01

Rows

Each of the nine horizontal rows holds every digit once. A repeat anywhere in the row is a mistake.

02

Columns

The same rule runs vertically. Reading a column top to bottom should give you all nine digits.

03

Boxes

The nine heavy-bordered 3 × 3 boxes follow the rule too. Most deductions come from these.

The marked cell can only be a 4: its row, column and box already hold every other digit.

Three techniques that solve most grids

Naked single

One empty cell has just one candidate left after eliminating its row, column and box. Write it in.

Hidden single

A digit fits in only one cell of a row, column or box, even though that cell has other candidates too.

Pointing pair

If a digit in a box is confined to one row, it can be struck from the rest of that row outside the box.

Keyboard

1 – 9Enter a digit in the selected cell
SpaceToggle pencil marks
BackspaceClear the cell
ArrowsMove the selection
Ctrl / ⌘ + ZUndo
Preferences

Settings

Mistake checking

Flag a digit the moment it conflicts with another.

Highlight peers

Tint the row, column and box of the selected cell.

Pencil marks

Clear candidates automatically when a digit rules them out.

Timer

Show elapsed time while you play.

Default difficulty

The level a new puzzle opens at.

Digit size

Scale the grid for smaller screens or weaker eyes.