Easy Sudoku
Easy Sudoku - Your Complete Beginner's Guide
Everything you need to know to solve your first puzzle confidently - Including the only three techniques you actually need at this level.
Easy puzzles start with 40–45 given cells pre-filled (out of 81 total). That leaves only 36–41 cells for you to solve - And crucially, every one of them can be found using simple elimination alone. No guessing required.
| Level | Given Cells | Cells to Solve | Techniques Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | 40–45 | 36–41 | Naked Singles only |
| Medium | 32–38 | 43–49 | + Hidden Singles |
| Hard | 26–32 | 49–55 | + Naked/Hidden Pairs |
- Last Free Cell - A row, column or 3×3 box has eight of its nine cells filled. The missing number is whatever digit hasn't appeared yet. This is the fastest win in Sudoku.
- Last Possible Number - A cell is the only one in its row and column and box where a particular digit can go. Scan all three units; if only one cell qualifies, fill it.
- Naked Single (Obvious Single) - After eliminating every digit that already appears in the same row, column and box, only one candidate remains for that cell. It's the only number that can go there.
- Start with the most-filled row, column or box - The one with the most given cells. One or two blanks left means instant wins.
- Scan each digit 1–9 in turn. For each digit, look at which rows/columns it appears in and eliminate those zones from the remaining blank cells in each box.
- After each fill, re-check adjacent rows, columns and boxes - Your new entry often unlocks neighbouring cells immediately.
- Work in waves: a single solved cell can cascade into 5–6 more. Don't plan far ahead; let each solve trigger the next.
- If you get stuck, switch from row/column scanning to box scanning - A fresh perspective almost always reveals something you missed.
Easy Sudoku solving times by player experience level:
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Forgetting to check all three units (row + col + box) | Always verify all three before committing a number |
| Placing a number that already exists in the same row | Use the highlight feature - Same numbers glow when selected |
| Giving up too quickly when stuck | Switch perspective: scan boxes instead of rows, or vice versa |
| Skipping numbers that appear many times already | High-count digits (7 or 8 placements done) are the easiest to finish |
| Random guessing when stuck | Easy puzzles never require guessing - Return to systematic scanning |
| Given cells | 40–45 out of 81 |
| Techniques required | 1 (Naked Singles) |
| Avg solve time | 5–15 minutes |
| Guessing required | Never |
| Best for | Beginners, warm-up |
| Next level | Medium |
6 Difficulty Levels
Easy to Extreme - Every level carefully tuned to challenge you just the right amount.
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