SUDOKU

Sudoku: free to play in your browser

Sudoku is the number puzzle where every row, every column and every 3 × 3 box has to contain the numbers 1 to 9 exactly once. Some numbers are filled in at the start, and you use logic to work out the rest. No maths needed.

Every puzzle here is freshly generated and has exactly one solution. Pick Easy, Medium or Hard, or play the Daily puzzle, which is the same for everyone today. Pencil in candidates with Notes, undo any move, and use a hint when you're stuck.

How to play

1. Choose Easy, Medium, Hard or Daily.
2. Tap or click a square, then tap a number to fill it in. On a keyboard, move with the arrows and type 1 to 9.
3. Each row, column and 3 × 3 box must end up with the numbers 1 to 9, with no repeats.
4. Turn on NOTES to pencil small candidate numbers into a square while you work it out.
5. A wrong number shows in red and counts as a mistake. Three mistakes ends the game.
6. Fill in every square correctly to win. Your best time for each level is saved.

Game modes

Easy

Plenty of numbers to start with. Good for learning or a quick puzzle.

Medium

Fewer starting numbers. You'll need to look at rows, columns and boxes together.

Hard

As few starting numbers as we can manage while keeping one unique solution.

Daily

One puzzle a day, the same for everyone. Come back tomorrow for a new one.

Tips

• Start with the rows, columns and boxes that are nearly full.
• If a number can only go in one square of a box, it goes there, even if that square could hold other numbers too.
• Use Notes to write down the possible numbers for tricky squares, then rule them out one by one.
• Tap a filled number and every matching number on the board lights up, which makes the gaps easy to spot.

Questions