Easy Sudoku
Choose a number, and place it in the grid above.
What is Easy Sudoku?
Easy Sudoku is the perfect entry point for newcomers. It’s more than just a number game; it’s a mental workout that sharpens focus and helps you decompress through simple logic.
The game uses a standard 9 × 9 grid (81 squares total), which is divided into nine 3 × 3 subgrids (often called "blocks" or "boxes").
The Core Rule
Fill every row, column, and 3 × 3 block with the numbers 1 through 9. Each number must appear exactly once in each of these areas.
Why it’s "Easy"
Easy puzzles typically start with 30 to 40 pre-filled numbers. This means you can solve the entire grid using simple observation and basic elimination, without needing to make guesses or complex "if-then" hypotheses.
Essential Solving Techniques
Mastering these three methods will help you solve nearly any beginner-level puzzle:
1. The Sole Candidate
This is the most direct approach. Focus on a single empty square. If the row, column, and block it belongs to already contain eight different numbers, that square can only be the one number remaining.
Pro Tip: When a square has only one possible "survivor," that's your answer.
2. The Hidden Single (Scanning)
Instead of looking at a square, look for a specific number (e.g., the number 5). Scan the rows and columns surrounding a 3 × 3 block. If Rows 1 and 2 already contain a 5, then within that block, the 5 must fit into the empty space in Row 3.
By "cross-scanning" horizontally and vertically, you can pinpoint a number’s position like a radar.
3. Elimination by Row or Column
If a specific block feels stuck, look at a full row or column instead. If a row has only two empty spots left and you see that one of the missing numbers already exists in a column crossing that spot, you've found your answer. The "no duplicates" rule handles the rest.
Tips for Success
Start with the "Low-Hanging Fruit"
Look for rows, columns, or blocks that are already mostly full. The fewer the gaps, the easier they are to fill.
The 1-to-9 Scan
Cycle through the numbers in order. Try to place all the 1s possible, then move to 2s, and so on. As you fill the board, new clues will constantly reveal themselves.
Trust the Logic
Sudoku is a game of certainty. If you feel the urge to guess, take a step back—you’ve likely just overlooked a simple clue elsewhere on the board.
Feeling confident? Try our Medium Sudoku to test your skills!