Blank Sudoku grid

Empty Sudoku grids to print, in four sizes. Use them to copy a puzzle you want to keep, to try a puzzle a second time, or to make a Sudoku of your own.

Which grid to print

• 9 by 9 is the standard Sudoku grid, with the thick lines marking the nine boxes.
• 6 by 6 is the grid used by Mini Sudoku, with the numbers 1 to 6.
• 4 by 4 is the smallest, good for teaching children. See printable Sudoku for kids for ready made puzzles.
• 16 by 16 is the giant grid, usually filled with the numbers 1 to 16 or with 0 to 9 and the letters A to F.

Make your own Sudoku

Making a puzzle by hand is a good way to understand how Sudoku works. Here is a method that always gives a correct grid.

1. Fill in a finished grid. Start with a complete, correct solution. The easiest way is to shift the numbers: write 1 to 9 in the top row, then start each next row three places along, and shift by one at the start of each new band of boxes.
2. Mix it up. Swap two rows inside the same band of boxes, or two columns inside the same stack. Swap the numbers themselves too, say every 3 for a 7. The grid stays correct after each swap.
3. Remove numbers. Rub out numbers in pairs that mirror each other across the centre, so the puzzle looks balanced. Stop when about 30 numbers are left.
4. Check it has one answer. Type your puzzle into the Sudoku solver and press Check. If it says there is more than one answer, put one of the numbers back and check again.

The last step matters most. A real Sudoku has exactly one answer, and it is easy to remove one number too many. Our Sudoku solver runs in your browser, so nothing you type is sent anywhere. We explain why one answer matters in one answer every time.

Rather have puzzles ready made?

Questions people ask