Sudoku

How to play Sudoku

Sudoku is played on a 9×9 grid split into nine 3×3 boxes. Some squares start with numbers in them. Your job is to fill in the rest.

1. One of each number in every row. Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9, with none repeated.
2. One of each in every column. The same goes for the nine columns.
3. One of each in every box. And for each of the nine 3×3 boxes, marked with thicker lines.
4. No guessing needed. Every puzzle here has exactly one solution, and you can always reach it by logic.

Tap a square, then tap a number to fill it in. With a keyboard, use the arrow keys to move, 1 to 9 to fill a square, and Backspace to clear it. If a number clashes with another in the same row, column or box, both turn red.

Notes, hints and undo

Turn on Notes (or press N) to pencil small numbers into a square while you work out what could go there. When you place a number, it’s cleared from the notes in the same row, column and box automatically. Hint fills in one square for you: the one you’ve selected, or the easiest one left. Undo takes back as many moves as you like.

The daily puzzle

Every day there’s a new daily Sudoku, the same medium puzzle for everyone. Solve it to grow your streak, then come back tomorrow for the next one.

Quick tips for solving faster

• Start with the busiest rows, columns and boxes. The more numbers already placed, the fewer options are left.
• Look for the only place a number can go. Pick a number and a box, and rule out every square where it would clash. Often only one is left.
• Look for the only number a square can take. Check which of 1 to 9 already appear in its row, column and box.
• Use notes on hard puzzles. Writing in possibilities shows patterns that are hard to hold in your head.

Sudoku FAQ