How do you play sudoku for beginners?

Fill the 9×9 grid so every row, column and 3×3 box has the digits 1 to 9 once each. Start by finding cells where only one digit can fit, then work outward. There's never any need to guess.

Is sudoku hard for beginners?

Not if you start easy. Easy puzzles give you lots of clues and solve with simple scanning. Print an easy sheet, take it slowly, and the logic clicks fast — most people get the hang of it in a sitting or two.

What's the first thing to do in a sudoku?

Look for the easiest placements first. Scan each row, column and box for a digit that can only go in one spot. These naked and hidden singles open up the grid before you need any clever techniques.

Do I need to be good at maths to play sudoku?

No. Sudoku never asks you to add or count — the numbers are just nine different symbols. It's all about logic and elimination, so anyone can learn it, no maths required.

Sudoku Rules for Beginners

New to sudoku? You're in the right place. The sudoku rules for beginners are simple: fill the grid so every row, column and 3×3 box has the digits 1 to 9 once each. Follow the steps below, then print the free beginner cheat-sheet to keep beside you.

Step 1: Meet the grid

A classic sudoku is a 9×9 grid divided into nine 3×3 boxes. Some cells already hold numbers — these are your clues. The empty cells are yours to fill, using only the digits 1 to 9.

The 9×9 grid with its nine 3×3 boxes outlined and a few starting clues already filled in.

Step 2: One of each, per row and column

Each row must contain the digits 1 to 9 with no repeats, and so must each column. If a 7 already sits in a row, no other cell in that row can be a 7. Scan along the line to see what's missing.

A row and a column highlighted — each must hold 1 to 9 once, so a digit can't repeat along either line.

Step 3: One of each, per box

The same rule applies to every 3×3 box: all nine digits appear once. Together, the row, column and box rules tell you exactly where a number can and can't go.

A single 3×3 box highlighted to show it must contain every digit from 1 to 9 just once.

Step 4: Place your first number

Pick an empty cell and ask: which digits are already in its row, column and box? Cross those out. Whatever's left is your candidate list. When only one digit survives, you've found a square — write it in.

One empty cell highlighted, with the digits already in its row, column and box ruled out.

Your first two techniques

A cell with only one digit left after every other number is ruled out by its row, column and box.

Naked single

A naked single is the easiest win: a cell where every other digit is blocked by its row, column or box, leaving just one possible number. Write it in. Want the full method? Learn the naked single on the wiki.

Learn the Naked single on the wiki →

A digit that can only go in one cell of a unit, even though that cell has other candidates.

Hidden single

A hidden single hides in plain sight: a digit that fits only one cell in a row, column or box, even though that cell could hold other numbers too. Spot it and place it. Get the full walkthrough — learn the hidden single on the wiki.

Learn the Hidden single on the wiki →

What's inside the printable

The beginner cheat-sheet PDF puts the three rules, a worked grid for each, and your first two techniques — the naked single and the hidden single — on one printable page. Print it, keep it by your puzzle, and you'll never lose track of the basics. Free, ad-free, no sign-up.

Print puzzles to practice

Open the printable puzzles →

Want the full lessons?

These pages are quick printable references. For the full, step-by-step teaching of any rule or technique — with interactive grids and worked walkthroughs — head to Sudoku247 Wiki. We keep it short here so you can print and go; the wiki goes deep.

Sudoku rules →

← Back to all Sudoku rules

Frequently asked questions

How do you play sudoku for beginners?: Fill the 9×9 grid so every row, column and 3×3 box has the digits 1 to 9 once each. Start by finding cells where only one digit can fit, then work outward. There's never any need to guess.
Is sudoku hard for beginners?: Not if you start easy. Easy puzzles give you lots of clues and solve with simple scanning. Print an easy sheet, take it slowly, and the logic clicks fast — most people get the hang of it in a sitting or two.
What's the first thing to do in a sudoku?: Look for the easiest placements first. Scan each row, column and box for a digit that can only go in one spot. These naked and hidden singles open up the grid before you need any clever techniques.
Do I need to be good at maths to play sudoku?: No. Sudoku never asks you to add or count — the numbers are just nine different symbols. It's all about logic and elimination, so anyone can learn it, no maths required.