Paused
An easy puzzle never needs notes or advanced tricks. You can finish it just by looking along rows, columns and boxes for the one place a number can go. It is a good way to learn the game, and a relaxing one once you know it.
The puzzle above opens on Easy. You can switch level at any time with the Difficulty buttons. Every puzzle is checked by a solver to make sure it has exactly one answer.
What easy sudoku asks of you
- Last square in a group. Find a row, column or box with eight numbers. The ninth is whatever is missing.
- Scanning. Pick a number and a box that lacks it. Rule out every square that already sees that number in its row or column. If one square is left, the number goes there.
Each of these is explained step by step in our Sudoku strategy guide.
From the blog
At a glance
| Starting numbers | About 42 of 81 |
|---|---|
| Time | Most people finish in 3 to 10 minutes. |
| Good for | Beginners, children learning the game, and anyone who wants a calm few minutes. |
| What next | When you can finish Easy without hints, move on to Medium. |
Other levels
Medium Sudoku
Classic Sudoku, opening at Medium.
Hard Sudoku
Classic Sudoku, opening at Hard.
Expert Sudoku
Classic Sudoku, opening at Expert.
Evil Sudoku
Classic Sudoku, opening at Evil.
Extreme Sudoku
Classic Sudoku, opening at Extreme.
Questions people ask
How many numbers does an easy Sudoku start with?
Our Easy puzzles start with about 42 of the 81 squares filled in. That is more than half the grid.
Do I need notes for easy Sudoku?
No. Every easy puzzle can be solved by scanning alone. Notes are there if you want them.
More Sudoku games
Classic Sudoku
The everyday game, from Easy to Extreme.
Daily Sudoku
Four puzzles a day, the same for everyone.
Killer Sudoku
Few or no numbers to start. Cages tell you their totals.
Jigsaw Sudoku
The boxes are wiggly pieces instead of squares.
Sudoku X
Both long diagonals need 1 to 9 as well.
Mini Sudoku
A quick game with the numbers 1 to 6.
Sudoku for Kids
Four numbers, big squares, no game over.
Sudoku 16 × 16
The numbers 1 to 16 on a 256 square grid.
Christmas Sudoku
Classic Sudoku dressed for the holidays, to play or print.
All games and tools
Every game on the site, the difficulty pages, printable puzzles and the solver.