The 30-second version: fill a 9×9 grid so every row, column and 3×3 box contains the numbers 1–9 exactly once. That's the whole game. There is no math — it's pure pattern logic, and an easy puzzle takes about ten minutes.
Don't read theory for an hour — sudoku is learned by doing. Here are the first three things to actually do.
Download any free sudoku app and set it to Easy. Yes, easy. Easy puzzles are where techniques make sense; hard puzzles are where beginners quit.
Pick the digit that appears most often — say there are six 5s — and ask: "which rows and boxes still need a 5?" This is scanning, and it alone solves most easy puzzles.
If you're stuck, you've missed something findable — not something guessable. Walk the rows again. The "aha" when you spot it is the entire reason this hobby is addictive.
One rule, honestly. Then a handful of named tricks that sound fancier than they are.
Nine cells, nine digits. If a row already has a 7, no other cell in that row can be a 7.
Same rule, vertical. Rows and columns crossing each other is where all the deductions come from.
The grid is split into nine chunky boxes. This third constraint is what makes the puzzle sing.
Pick a digit, find every copy of it, and see which rows, columns and boxes it locks out. Where's the only place left?
Scanning, but aimed at one box: cross out its cells using the rows and columns around it until one cell remains.
Write tiny candidate numbers in empty cells. Not cheating — it's literally how champions play. Apps have a button for it.
A cell whose pencil marks have shrunk to one number. It was hiding in plain sight — fill it in and enjoy the cascade.
Ready for naked pairs, X-wings and other delightfully-named tricks? They're all in the glossary — but honestly, not yet.
Everyone makes these. Make them less.
A lucky guess teaches you nothing and an unlucky one quietly poisons the whole grid. Stuck = missed deduction. Re-scan.
Hard puzzles need techniques you haven't met yet. Easy puzzles aren't training wheels — they're where the techniques live.
Use pencil marks. Mental juggling feels noble and produces errors. Paper exists; so does the notes button.
You never add, subtract or multiply anything. The digits could be fruit. It's pattern logic wearing a number costume.
You need almost nothing — that's part of the charm. These three things cover your whole first year.
Look for one with hint explanations, a pencil-mark button and a real "easy" mode. Avoid anything that shows ads mid-puzzle.
See our pick →Paper forces you to slow down, and crossing off a fat book of 200 easy grids is absurdly satisfying.
See our pick →If you go the paper route: a clicky mechanical pencil and a clean eraser. Pen confidence comes later. Much later.
See our pick →Heads up: links in this section may be affiliate links. They cost you nothing and keep the guides free.
A gentle ladder. If a week feels too fast, repeat it — there is no falling behind in sudoku.
Same "pure deduction" feeling, but you end up with a tiny picture. Most sudoku folks fall hard for them.
Beginner tips, gentle challenges, zero spoilers. Unsubscribe whenever.