Sudoku

Sudoku guide

Sudoku rules

Sudoku has simple rules, but the puzzle becomes interesting because every placement affects the whole board.

Play Sudoku online No install, no timer pressure
Example Sudoku board with the next useful cell highlighted

The goal

Fill the 9x9 grid so every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains each number from 1 to 9 exactly once.

The core rule

A number cannot repeat in the same row, column, or box. If a number already appears in one of those areas, it cannot be placed there again.

How to start

Look for rows, columns, or boxes that already contain many numbers. The fewer missing numbers there are, the easier the next placement is.

Practice

Play the pattern on a real board