PuzzleDayYour first sudoku, step by step
- Find the busiest area. Look for a row, column or box that already has six or seven digits. It has the fewest gaps, so it is the easiest place to start.
- Ask which digits are missing. If a row has 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9, the gaps must be 3 and 6.
- Check the crossing lines. If one gap’s column already contains a 3, that gap must be the 6 — and the other gap is the 3.
- Repeat. Every digit you place gives you new information for the cells around it.
Habits that help
- Never guess. Every easy puzzle can be solved with pure logic. If you are unsure, move to another part of the grid.
- Go digit by digit. Try placing all the 1s, then all the 2s, and so on. The count under each button on the number pad shows how many are left.
- Use the highlights. Tapping a cell highlights its row, column and box, and every other cell with the same digit — a quick way to see where a digit can’t go.
Ready for the next step?
When easy puzzles take you under ten minutes, move up to the daily sudoku (medium by default), then hard sudoku. For a different kind of logic, try minesweeper.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a sudoku easy?
More starting clues — around 40 of the 81 cells are filled in. That means most cells can be solved by simple scanning, without notes or advanced techniques.
How long does an easy sudoku take?
Most people finish an easy puzzle in 5 to 15 minutes. Experienced solvers often do it in under 4.
Is easy sudoku good for kids?
Yes. It teaches patience, logic and checking your work, with no arithmetic involved. Children from about age 7 can usually solve easy grids, especially with Show mistakes turned on.
Is there a daily easy sudoku?
Yes. The Daily tab gives everyone the same easy puzzle each day, and the Unlimited tab generates as many new ones as you want.