Easy Sudoku
Easy puzzles need just two ideas: naked singles and hidden singles. If you can find those, you can finish every puzzle on this page.
An easy Sudoku can be solved using only naked singles (a cell with one possible digit) and hidden singles (a digit with one possible place in a row, column or box). No notes are strictly required, though they help.
How to use the board
- Tap a cell, then a digit. On a keyboard, use 1 to 9, Backspace to erase and the arrow keys to move.
- Turn Notes on to write small candidate digits. Press N on a keyboard.
- Hint finds a naked or hidden single and tells you which one it is.
- Your game is saved in this browser. Nothing is sent anywhere.
What makes a Sudoku easy
Our levels are defined by technique, not by the count of given digits. An Easy puzzle never requires anything beyond a naked single or a hidden single. That means every move is a simple deduction.
A quick method
- Pick a digit, say 5. Look at where it already appears and which rows, columns and boxes are therefore blocked.
- If a box has only one open cell left where 5 can go, place it. That is a hidden single.
- If a cell can only hold one digit because the rest appear in its row, column or box, place it. That is a naked single.
- Repeat with the next digit. Placing a digit often unlocks new singles.
When to move up
When you finish most Easy puzzles in under ten minutes without hints, try Medium. There you will need pairs and pointing pairs. Read the beginner guide for a gentle path.
Frequently asked questions
Which techniques do Easy puzzles use?
Only naked singles and hidden singles.
Do I need notes on Easy?
Not strictly, but writing notes makes singles much easier to see. See the notes guide.
How long does an Easy puzzle take?
Most beginners take 10 to 20 minutes. With practice, five minutes is common.