Play Sudoku online for free

How to Play Sudoku

While a free online Sudoku game can be rather challenging, the rules and general gameplay are pretty simple and straightforward. Each column, row, and block (also known as a nonet) must contain the numbers 1–9, and each number can only be used once in each cell. That's it. Those are the rules.

Sudoku is more than just a game—it's a brain-boosting puzzle that lets you learn logical thinking, patterns, and cell recognition. With difficulty levels ranging from beginner to expert, there's something in this game for everyone. You can even make notes in each cell to help you keep track of possible numbers, just like managing essential data.

Do you have what it takes to conquer the next level?

About Sudoku

Our free version of the web Sudoku game follows the tradition of number puzzles — no pen or pencil is needed! As you start the game, you can choose your Sudoku mode. We offer Sudoku for beginners, medium Sudoku, and Sudoku for experts. Additionally, the puzzle is updated daily, giving you a new Sudoku every day!

Each Sudoku puzzle comprises a nine-by-nine grid, with each cell needing to be filled with numbers from 1 to 9. Whether you want to fill in every block to complete the puzzle or unwind, Sudoku is a game that offers something for everyone.

Do you prefer solving your puzzles on paper? We've made it easy with our printable Sudoku option! Check out the Settings button — there, you'll find a simple way to print your puzzles. Whether you want to play offline, practice distraction-free, or enjoy solving with pen and paper, our print Sudoku feature is just a click away.

How to Print Sudoku

Looking for a printable sudoku puzzles? Just head over to the Settings section of our game interface. There, you'll find a Print Sudoku button. With one click, you'll get a clean, printer-friendly version of the current puzzle — perfect for taking on the go, solving at your leisure, or sharing with friends and family.

Once printed, the puzzle will appear on your puzzles page in an easy-to-read format. This feature is designed for all types of players — from casual fans to serious math minds looking for a challenge. It's a small but powerful way to enhance the overall features of your Sudoku experience.

This option is great if you prefer traditional pen-and-paper gameplay or want to build your collection of Sudoku puzzles. Many customers find printed puzzles easier on the eyes and more relaxing to complete. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the game, there's plenty to enjoy here.

Make printable sudoku puzzles a part of your routine and enjoy the best of both worlds — digital convenience and analog charm. And remember, Sudoku isn't just about including numbers — it's also a world of logic, structure, and satisfying victories.

Sudoku History

These puzzles became popular in the late 1800s in France when newspapers began to include and publish partially filled number grids on their pages. The puzzles were not precisely the same as Sudoku, though, because they contained some double-digit numbers and did not have sub-squares. The rows and columns did, though, add up to the same number.

These puzzles disappeared around World War I but reemerged in 1979 when an Indiana man named Howard Garns published the first modern Sudoku puzzle. His Sudoku used a 9x9 grid, and all rows and columns needed to have the numbers 1-9. Sudoku games were introduced in Japan five years later, when the number of puzzles became immensely popular and was officially coined 'Sudoku.' In 2004, The Times in London published its first daily Sudoku, reintroducing the Sudoku puzzle to Western culture. Sudoku quickly spread to newspapers all over the world, delighting users every single day.

Of course, our Sudoku that can be played at any time of day soon followed.

Tips to Solve

The most basic solution technique for free Sudoku is to use the page scanning method. This involves picking a digit and looking at rows and columns across the grid containing that number. The best strategy is to look at all the boxes where the number can't be placed, leaving the one box where it should be.

Scanning is especially effective when you're looking at both rows and columns at the same time. This is often the only way to narrow down where to enter a digit in grids with many unfilled boxes.

This process of elimination is a fast and highly effective method to complete lower-level puzzles. Even when solving a hard puzzle, it's a great opening move to complete in many squares.

However, there will come a point when the scanning method mentioned above won't cut it. Here is where using pencil marking comes in. The idea is to use a pencil to fill a space with all possible combinations. You'll then analyze the whole board to determine which number combinations work.

One common problem you'll encounter is a disjointed pair. This is when two digits can only be placed in two boxes, but you don't know which number goes into which space. When such pairs are apparent, it's called a naked pair. Otherwise, it's referred to as a hidden pair.

While you can't complete disjointed pairs directly alone, you can use them to deduce where other numbers should be. For example, if you have three spaces left on a grid, and two of those are a disjointed pair, then you know the third digit can only be placed on the remaining space.

A very advanced approach for solving truly challenging puzzles is the X-Wing technique. This happens when the spaces you're trying to solve form an X shape or are in the corners of an imaginary square. This gives you a new logic constraint, allowing you to eliminate spaces further. While useful, the X pattern required for this technique is rare in practice.

The Benefits of Playing Sudoku

Sudoku isn't just a fun game to pass the time. It also has several health and wellness benefits. Like any puzzle, an easy Sudoku game can be a great way to help reduce stress and anxiety. That's because the game requires focus and concentration, which can distract your brain from negative thoughts or emotions. As a result, many people report feeling calm and relaxed after playing even a single Sudoku puzzle.

The brainpower required with Sudoku also has excellent mental benefits. It's a great way to expand your logical thinking and problem-solving skills. In addition, the more you play, the more you'll develop patterns and analysis methods, which you can easily apply to various real-life situations.

Sudoku can even help expand your memory capacity when you have higher difficulties. More complex puzzles require you to note multiple possible combinations and recall past strategies that you can apply.

The easy rules of Sudoku also make it easily accessible to anyone.

And the best part is that you can easily play Sudoku anytime — no download required! So, there's no reason not to make this addictive puzzle game part of your everyday routine. Are you ready to play?

Our free version of web Sudoku follows the number puzzle's tradition; no pen or pencil is required! As you start the puzzle, you can choose your Sudoku mode. We offer Sudoku for beginners, medium Sudoku, and Sudoku for experts. Additionally, the puzzle is updated daily, giving you a new Sudoku game each and every day!

Want to be a pro Sudoku solver? Try our Math Doku, Printable Daily Sudoku, or All Sudoku Games on our website or app.