How to play Sudoku

The objective

Your goal is simple: fill a nine-by-nine grid so every row, column, and box contains each digit once. This guide uses the most common beginner-friendly rules. Families and groups may agree on variations before starting.

What you need

A Sudoku puzzle and pencil or digital app.

How to set up

1. Choose an easy puzzle for your first attempt.
2. Review the given digits, which cannot be changed.

How to play: step by step

1. Fill empty cells with digits one through nine.
2. Each digit may appear only once per row, column, and three-by-three box.
3. Use elimination to identify cells with only one possible digit.
4. Continue checking all three areas until the grid is complete.

Beginner strategies

• Pencil in small candidate numbers.
• Scan one digit across several neighboring rows or columns.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Guessing too early.
• Checking only the row and forgetting the column or box.

Frequently asked questions