namlabsEach guide shows one move on a real grid. We name cells by row and column: R5C5 is row 5, column 5, counting from the top left. In the diagrams, the shaded area is the house we are looking at, the ringed cells are the ones the move is about, and the small digits are candidates. A crossed-out candidate is one the move removes.
If the rules are new to you, read how to play Sudoku first.
All techniques
Naked single
A cell whose peers already use eight different digits.
BeginnerHidden single
A digit that fits in only one cell of a row, column or box.
IntermediateNaked pairs
Two cells, two candidates: clear them from the rest of the house.
IntermediatePointing pairs
A box's only spots for a digit point along one row or column.
AdvancedX-Wing
Two rows, two columns, one digit: a rectangle that clears columns.
Practise on your phone
Our free Sudoku app has hints that point out the technique you can use next, with the cells highlighted. It plays offline.
