How do I play Sudoku?

Fill the 9×9 grid so each row, column, and 3×3 box contains 1-9. Some numbers are pre-filled as clues. Click a cell and type or use the on-screen keypad.

What difficulty should I start with?

Start with Easy (36-50 clues) if you're a beginner. Move to Medium (32-37 clues) once comfortable, then Hard (27-32 clues) for a real challenge. More levels are available at /play/.

What are Sudoku solving techniques?

Nine proven techniques from basic Last Free Cell to advanced Pointing Pairs. Our Smart Hints teach you each technique step by step as you play. View all techniques at /techniques/.

Play Free Sudoku Online - Daily Puzzles

Play Free Sudoku Now!

Sudoku is one of the most popular puzzle games of all time. The goal is simple: fill a 9×9 grid with numbers so that each row, column, and 3×3 section contain all of the digits between 1 and 9. As a logic puzzle, Sudoku is also an excellent brain-training game. If you play Sudoku daily, you will soon start to see improvements in your concentration and overall brain power.

About Sudoku

The popular Japanese puzzle game Sudoku is based on the logical placement of numbers. An online game of logic, Sudoku doesn't require any calculation nor special math skills; all that is needed are brains and concentration. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced solver, Sudoku provides an endless supply of progressively harder challenges.

How to Play Sudoku

The goal of Sudoku is to fill in a 9×9 grid with digits so that each column, row, and 3×3 section contain the numbers between 1 to 9. At the beginning of the game, the 9×9 grid will have some squares filled in. Your job is to use logic to fill in the missing digits and complete the grid. A move is incorrect if:

Any row contains more than one of the same number from 1 to 9
Any column contains more than one of the same number from 1 to 9
Any 3×3 grid contains more than one of the same number from 1 to 9

Sudoku Tips

If you are a complete beginner, here are a few Sudoku tips to improve your skills:

Tip 1: Look for rows, columns, or 3×3 sections that contain 5 or more numbers. Work through the remaining empty cells, trying the numbers that have not been used.
Tip 2: Break the grid up visually into 3 columns and 3 rows. Each large column has 3 3×3 grids. Look for columns or grids that have 2 of the same number — logically, there must be a third copy in the remaining section.
Tip 3: Use Notes mode (pencil marks) to track possible candidates for each cell. This is essential for Hard puzzles and above.

Want More Challenges?

Try Killer Sudoku for a variant with cage sums, or visit the Daily Challenge for a new puzzle every day. For all six difficulty levels including Expert, Master, and Extreme, head to the full game page. Master the logic with our step-by-step technique guides — from Last Free Cell to Pointing Pairs.