Sudoku

Play Sudoku free online. Fill the grid so every row, column and box holds the digits 1 to 9.

A full Sudoku with a puzzle generator that guarantees a unique solution, so you never have to guess. Pencil in notes, spot conflicts as you go, take a hint when you are stuck, and pick up an unfinished grid later — progress is saved automatically.

  • Category: Puzzle
  • Difficulty: medium
  • Players: 1 player
  • Typical game: about 15 minutes
  • Works on: desktop, phones and tablets

How to play Sudoku

Objective: Fill the nine-by-nine grid so every row, every column and every three-by-three box contains the digits 1 to 9 exactly once.

  1. Select a cell, then choose a digit from the number pad or type it.
  2. Given clues are shown in bold and cannot be changed.
  3. Switch to Notes mode to pencil in candidate digits.
  4. Conflicting entries are highlighted so mistakes are easy to spot.
  5. Use a hint to fill the selected cell with its correct value.
  6. Your progress is saved automatically — come back to it any time.

Scoring

Solving scores 1000 for Easy, 2000 for Normal and 3500 for Hard, minus a small penalty for each hint and mistake, plus a bonus for finishing quickly.

Difficulty levels

Easy leaves 44 clues, Normal 34 and Hard 27. Every generated puzzle is verified to have exactly one solution, so no guessing is ever required.

Tips

  • Scan for a digit that has only one possible cell left in a row, column or box.
  • Use notes on cells with two candidates — pairs quickly eliminate options elsewhere.
  • When you are stuck, look at the most-filled box rather than the emptiest one.

Controls

Keyboard

  • 1–9 to enter a digit
  • Backspace to clear
  • Arrow keys to move
  • N to toggle notes

Mouse

  • Click a cell, then click a digit

Touch

  • Tap a cell, then tap a digit on the pad

Sudoku achievements

  • Solved It – Complete your first Sudoku.
  • Hard Mode – Complete a Hard puzzle.
  • Unassisted – Complete a puzzle without using a hint.
  • Flawless – Complete a puzzle with no incorrect entries.
  • Speed Solver – Complete an Easy puzzle in under five minutes.
  • Dedicated – Complete 10 puzzles.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sudoku free to play?

Yes. Sudoku is completely free on GamesPlayLand, with no download, no sign-up and no purchases.

How do you play Sudoku?

Fill the nine-by-nine grid so every row, every column and every three-by-three box contains the digits 1 to 9 exactly once. Select a cell, then choose a digit from the number pad or type it. Given clues are shown in bold and cannot be changed.

Can I play Sudoku on my phone?

Yes. Sudoku works in mobile browsers on phones and tablets. Tap a cell, then tap a digit on the pad.

Does Sudoku save my high score?

Yes. Your personal best, statistics and achievements for Sudoku are saved in your browser automatically.

More games like Sudoku

  • Memory Match – Find every pair with as few turns as possible.
  • Minesweeper – Clear the board using number clues without detonating a mine.
  • Number Merge 2048 – Slide and merge numbered tiles to build the 2048 tile.
  • Water Sort – Pour matching colors into separate tubes.