Sudoku Tips & Strategies
10 simple techniques to solve every puzzle with confidence
Getting Started
Start With What You Know
Look at the numbers already filled in. Rows, columns, or 3×3 boxes that have many numbers are the easiest to complete first. Find the most crowded areas and focus there.
Work One Number at a Time
Pick a number — say, the number 5 — and find every place on the board where a 5 could go. This focused approach is often faster than going cell by cell.
Use the Process of Elimination
If a number already appears in a row, column, or box, it cannot appear again. Cross it off the possibilities for every empty cell in that row, column, and box.
Smart Solving Techniques
Look for "Naked Singles"
A naked single is a cell where only one number can possibly fit. After eliminating all numbers that appear in the same row, column, and box, one number remains. Fill it in!
Look for "Hidden Singles"
Even if a cell has multiple candidates, a number might only be possible in one cell within a row, column, or box. That number must go there — it has nowhere else to go.
Use Pencil Marks (Notes)
Tap the Notes button and jot down small candidates in cells you're unsure about. This keeps track of possibilities and helps you spot patterns without relying on memory.
Good Habits
Never Guess
Every Sudoku puzzle has exactly one correct solution that can be reached through logic alone. If you feel like guessing, it's a sign to slow down and look for a clue you may have missed.
Use Undo Freely
Made a mistake? No worries — tap Undo as many times as you need. There's no penalty. Sudoku is about enjoyment, not perfection.
Take a Break When Stuck
If you're stuck, step away for a few minutes. When you return with fresh eyes you'll often spot the move immediately. Your progress is saved automatically.
Practice Daily for Best Results
Even one puzzle a day sharpens your pattern recognition. Start on Easy and move up to Medium and Hard as you gain confidence. There's no rush — enjoy the journey.