How To Play Sudoku

Sudoku is a number-placement puzzle where logic matters more than speed.

The goal is to fill a 9x9 grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 exactly once. Some numbers are given at the start, and those clues are what help you work out the rest.

A good way to begin is to scan one row, column, or box at a time and look for the numbers that are missing. From there, rule out positions that are already blocked by the same number elsewhere in the grid. Often, progress comes from eliminating impossible options until only one square makes sense.

If you are new to sudoku, start with easier boards and focus on consistency rather than guessing. Look for obvious singles first, then revisit rows and boxes that have become easier after each correct placement. The puzzle usually opens up a little at a time.

When a board feels stuck, slow down and re-check the structure. The most useful habit is patience: spotting one correct placement often reveals the next. With practice, the rhythm of checking rows, columns, and boxes becomes much more natural.