Learn Sudoku

From your first puzzle to advanced techniques — everything in one place.

Start Here

Never played Sudoku before? These two guides cover the rules and a step-by-step method for solving your first puzzle.

Sudoku Rules The 3 rules explained simply — rows, columns, and boxes. No math, no guessing. How to Play Sudoku A beginner walkthrough with a worked example, common mistakes, and practice tips.

Build Your Skills

Once you know the rules, these resources help you solve faster and tackle harder puzzles.

Sudoku Tips Scanning habits, the "stuck" playbook, speed tips, and a 7-day practice plan. Naked Singles The first technique — when only one number can go in a cell. Hidden Singles The most productive technique at every difficulty. Cross-hatching and candidate checking.

Intermediate Techniques

These strategies unlock medium and hard puzzles. They all build on pencil marks (candidate tracking).

Pointing Pairs When a box tells a row or column where a number cannot go. Includes claiming pairs. Box-Line Reduction The reverse of pointing pairs — when a row or column claims a number within a box. Naked Pairs Two cells, same two candidates — a powerful elimination technique. Includes naked triples. Hidden Pairs Two numbers restricted to two cells — strip extra candidates to unlock the grid.

Advanced Techniques

For hard and expert (evil) puzzles. These patterns are harder to spot but dramatically expand what you can solve.

X-Wing A row-column pattern that eliminates candidates across the grid. Essential for expert puzzles.

More technique guides coming soon: Swordfish, XY-Wing.

Recommended Progression

If you are unsure where to start, follow this path:

1. Rules → 2. How to Play → 3. Tips → 4. Naked Singles → 5. Hidden Singles → 6. Pointing Pairs → 7. Box-Line Reduction → 8. Naked Pairs → 9. Hidden Pairs → 10. X-Wing

At each step, practice with the Daily Sudoku or the Deluxe Player at the appropriate difficulty. For offline practice, grab a printable puzzle pack.

📅 Today's Daily Puzzle ⭐ Deluxe Player 🖨️ Print Puzzles