Free Sudoku puzzles
Four levels, from a gentle start to puzzles that need an X-Wing. Every puzzle has exactly one solution and can be finished by logic alone, with notes, hints and mistake checking whenever you want them.
Easy Sudoku
About 38 clues and only one technique needed. The best place to learn Sudoku or warm up.
Play easyMedium Sudoku
About 30 clues. You will need hidden singles, the most useful technique in Sudoku.
Play mediumHard Sudoku
Fewer clues and real candidate work. You will need locked candidates, pairs or triples.
Play hardExpert Sudoku
The hardest level. Each puzzle needs an X-Wing, XY-Wing or Swordfish, and still never a guess.
Play expert
Sudoku levels compared
| Level | Hardest technique needed | Typical clues | Guessing needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | Naked singles only | About 38 | Never |
| Medium | Hidden singles | About 30 | Never |
| Hard | Locked candidates, pairs or triples | 24-29 | Never |
| Expert | X-Wing, XY-Wing or Swordfish | 23-30 | Never |
How to play Sudoku
- Know the rule. Each row, each column and each 3×3 box must contain the digits 1 to 9 exactly once.
- Pick a cell. Tap or click an empty cell, then choose a digit on the number pad or type it.
- Use notes. Turn on Notes to pencil in candidates, or press Fill notes to add every possible digit at once.
- Ask for a hint. Hint points to a cell you can fill next and names the technique. Press Fill to place it.
A Sudoku never needs arithmetic: the digits are just nine different symbols. What matters is where each one can and cannot go, and every placed digit narrows the options for the cells that share its row, column and box.
Frequently asked questions
Which difficulty should I start with?
Start with Easy if you are new to Sudoku: every step needs only the simplest technique. Move up a level when a puzzle no longer feels like a challenge.
Do the puzzles have a single solution?
Yes. Every puzzle is solved by a logic engine before you see it, using only named human techniques. That proves the solution is unique, and it means you never need to guess.
How are the difficulty levels decided?
By the hardest technique a puzzle needs. Easy needs naked singles, Medium hidden singles, Hard locked candidates or pairs, and Expert an X-Wing, XY-Wing or Swordfish.
Is my progress saved?
Yes. Each difficulty keeps your current puzzle and your best time in your browser, so you can come back to an unfinished game later.