Expert Sudoku

On Expert, notes are not optional. The puzzle is built so that you keep removing options in one place to unlock another. Many moves do not place a number at all. They just take a note away, and three or four of those together finally leave a square with one answer.

The puzzle above opens on Expert. 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 expert sudoku asks of you

Pointing pairs. If a number can only go in one row of a box, it cannot go anywhere else in that row outside the box.
Box and line reduction. The reverse: if a number in a row can only go inside one box, remove it from the rest of that box.
Naked triples. Three squares in a group whose notes, taken together, are only three numbers. Remove those numbers from the rest of the group.

Each of these is explained step by step in our Sudoku strategy guide. When notes start to matter, read when to use pencil marks.

At a glance

Starting numbers	About 27 of 81
Time	Usually 25 to 60 minutes.
Good for	Experienced solvers who know their pairs and want every move to count.
What next	If Expert is comfortable, try Evil Sudoku next. Extreme is the hardest level we make.

Other levels

Easy Sudoku

Classic Sudoku, opening at Easy.

Medium Sudoku

Classic Sudoku, opening at Medium.

Hard Sudoku

Classic Sudoku, opening at Hard.

Evil Sudoku

Classic Sudoku, opening at Evil.

Extreme Sudoku

Classic Sudoku, opening at Extreme.

Questions people ask

What is the difference between hard and expert Sudoku?

Expert puzzles start with fewer numbers, about 27, and need techniques that work across a box and a row at the same time, like pointing pairs and box and line reduction.

How do I get better at expert puzzles?

Keep your notes accurate. Most stalls on Expert come from a note that should have been removed earlier. Our strategy guide walks through each technique with examples.