Puzzle Games
How to play Sudoku
Fill a nine-by-nine grid so every row, column, and box contains each digit once.
QUICK ANSWER
How do you play Sudoku?
Fill empty cells with digits one through nine. Each digit may appear only once per row, column, and three-by-three box. Use elimination to identify cells with only one possible digit. Continue checking all three areas until the grid is complete.
Jump to the step-by-step rules ↓EDITOR'S TABLE NOTES
Is Sudoku a good fit for your group?
This game works especially well for solo players or groups that enjoy patient observation and gradual progress; the listed 1-player range and 5–60 min playing time should also fit the group. Before setting up, decide whether that matches the experience your group wants today.
Rules version covered here
This guide covers the standard solving method rather than one publisher's puzzle. Difficulty and permitted aids depend on the specific puzzle in front of you. For Sudoku, pay particular attention to the stated setup and ending condition below.
QUICK VIDEO GUIDE
Learn Sudoku in under a minute
About this video
This original mini lesson covers what you need, setup, normal play, the winning condition, and one beginner tip. Continue below for the complete written guide.
INTERACTIVE LEARN-TO-PLAY
Practice Sudoku before the first round
Walk through the setup, try a sample turn, and get a quick answer when play stalls.
Choose an easy puzzle for your first attempt.
Review the given digits, which cannot be changed.
Playable example turn
Step 1 of 4
Fill empty cells with digits one through nine.
What should we do now?
Start with this action: Fill empty cells with digits one through nine.
Scoring and winning
Continue checking all three areas until the grid is complete.
Common dispute to prevent
Guessing too early. Agree on any edition-specific variation before the first turn.
The objective
Your goal is to fill a nine-by-nine grid so every row, column, and box contains each digit once. Before play begins, make sure every player can explain how the game ends and what determines the winner. That one check prevents many mid-game disagreements.
What you need
A Sudoku puzzle and pencil or digital app. Lay out every required item before teaching the rules. If pieces, cards, controllers, or play space are missing, resolve that before the practice turn.
How to set up
- Choose an easy puzzle for your first attempt.
- Review the given digits, which cannot be changed.
Setup check: Ask one player who did not arrange the game to compare the table, field, or screen with these steps. A fresh look often catches an incorrect starting position.
How to play: step by step
- Fill empty cells with digits one through nine.
- Each digit may appear only once per row, column, and three-by-three box.
- Use elimination to identify cells with only one possible digit.
- Continue checking all three areas until the grid is complete.
Example first round
A useful first-round walkthrough for Sudoku begins this way: Fill empty cells with digits one through nine. Next, each digit may appear only once per row, column, and three-by-three box. Continue in normal turn order until the ending condition applies: continue checking all three areas until the grid is complete.
How scoring and winning work
- The result is determined by the guide's stated objective: Fill a nine-by-nine grid so every row, column, and box contains each digit once.
- The final step explains when play stops: Continue checking all three areas until the grid is complete.
- For the most common rules question, use this clarification consistently: No; it uses logic and symbol placement, not arithmetic.
Useful variations
- Set a relaxed time limit or divide the puzzle into sections when several people want to contribute.
- For a shorter session, announce a stopping time before starting; 5–60 min is the normal planning range for Sudoku.
- When playing with beginners, demonstrate this strategy before scoring begins: Pencil in small candidate numbers.
Beginner strategies
- Pencil in small candidate numbers.
- Scan one digit across several neighboring rows or columns.
Choose one of these ideas for the first game instead of trying to remember every strategy at once. Afterward, identify one decision that changed the result and one move you would test next time.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Guessing too early.
- Checking only the row and forgetting the column or box.
If an illegal move is discovered, pause and agree on the least disruptive correction. For casual play, consistency and a shared understanding matter more than reconstructing many turns.
Frequently asked questions
Does Sudoku require math?
No; it uses logic and symbol placement, not arithmetic.
Can a proper puzzle have two solutions?
A well-formed standard Sudoku is designed to have one solution.
Related puzzle games guides
Official instructions for your edition or the game publisher’s current documentation take priority over this summary. If you spot a factual error or an important edition difference, please tell us.
Report a correction →