Rows
Read each horizontal line and look for missing numbers that have only one possible place.
Sudoku beginner guide
How to play Sudoku without guessing.
Learn the Sudoku rules, the first moves to look for, and how to use notes, checks, and hints when a puzzle starts to slow down.
Sudoku beginner guide
The rules are small, but the board asks for patience.
A Sudoku puzzle is a 9x9 grid divided into nine 3x3 boxes. Some numbers are already fixed. Your job is to complete the empty cells so every row, column, and box contains 1 through 9 exactly once.
Columns
Check vertical lines the same way, especially when a column already has five or more numbers.
Boxes
Use each 3x3 box to narrow candidates before you commit a number.
Sudoku beginner guide
Start with singles before using advanced patterns.
Beginners often look for clever tricks too early. The most reliable first pass is simple: scan for cells or regions where a number has only one legal position.
Look for full areas
Rows, columns, or boxes with many filled cells usually reveal the next safe move.
Check one number at a time
Pick a number such as 5 and scan every box to see where it can still fit.
Use notes carefully
Add candidates when a cell has two or three realistic options, then remove them as the board changes.
Sudoku beginner guide
Avoid the mistake that makes most puzzles harder.
Guessing feels fast, but one wrong guess can make the rest of the board misleading. If you cannot explain why a number belongs in a cell, mark candidates instead and move to another area.
Do not chase one empty cell
If it has too many options, leave it and solve nearby constraints first.
Do not overfill notes
Candidate marks should reduce confusion, not turn every cell into clutter.
Use Check as a guardrail
On Legen Sudoku, Check can catch mistakes before they spread across the puzzle.
Keep playing
Start a puzzle now, then switch difficulty anytime.
Ready to try the rules on a real board? Open a puzzle and start with easy mode.
Play a puzzleFAQ
Sudoku questions beginners ask first.
Do I need math to play Sudoku?
No. Sudoku uses numbers, but it is a logic puzzle. You only need placement, elimination, and patience.
What is the easiest way to start a puzzle?
Start with the row, column, or 3x3 box that already has the most filled numbers.
When should I use notes?
Use notes when a cell has a small set of possible numbers and you cannot decide yet.
Is guessing allowed?
You can guess, but it is usually better to wait until you have a logical reason for a number.