The short answer: start with easy. Easy Sudoku puzzles are specifically designed to teach you the fundamental logic of the game without overwhelming you. But knowing when and how to progress is just as important as knowing where to start.
Easy Sudoku puzzles typically come with 36 to 45 pre-filled numbers out of 81 total cells. This higher density of given numbers means there are fewer empty cells to fill and more information available to guide your logic. Most easy puzzles can be solved using only two basic techniques: scanning and naked singles.
Progress through four levels: Easy (36-45 givens, learn basic scanning), Medium (30-35 givens, learn hidden singles and pencil marks), Hard (25-29 givens, apply naked and hidden pairs), and Expert (22-28 givens, master X-Wing, Swordfish, and coloring techniques).
Move from easy to medium when you complete easy puzzles consistently in under 10 minutes without getting stuck and understand naked and hidden singles. Move from medium to hard when you complete medium puzzles in under 15 minutes, comfortably use pencil marks, and understand naked pairs and pointing pairs.
To succeed at easy Sudoku, you only need to master scanning (checking rows, columns, and boxes for missing numbers), naked singles (cells with only one possible candidate), and hidden singles (numbers that can only go in one cell within a row, column, or box).
Solve at least one puzzle per day for consistent improvement. When you get stuck, learn the technique needed rather than guessing. Time yourself to track improvement, but do not prioritize speed over accuracy. Review your mistakes and move up in difficulty only when the current level feels comfortable.
Easy difficulty is the best starting point for beginners. Easy Sudoku puzzles have more pre-filled cells (typically 36 to 45 given numbers) and can be solved using basic techniques like scanning and single-candidate elimination. This allows new players to learn the rules and build confidence without frustration.
You are ready for medium Sudoku when you can consistently complete easy puzzles in under 10 minutes without getting stuck, you understand basic elimination techniques, and you feel comfortable scanning rows, columns, and boxes for candidates. If easy puzzles no longer feel challenging, it is time to move up.
Beginners should expect to spend 15 to 30 minutes on an easy puzzle. As your skills improve, this time will decrease to 5 to 10 minutes. Do not rush - taking time to understand the logic behind each placement is more valuable for learning than speed-solving.
Yes, pencil marks (also called candidate notation) are highly recommended for beginners. Writing small candidate numbers in empty cells helps you track possibilities and spot patterns. This technique becomes essential at higher difficulty levels, so developing the habit early is beneficial.
No, proper Sudoku puzzles are designed to be solvable through pure logic without guessing. If you feel the need to guess, it usually means there is a technique or pattern you have not spotted yet. Learn more about why guessing is unnecessary in our article on solving Sudoku without guessing.
Beginners should start with scanning (checking rows, columns, and boxes for missing numbers), naked singles (cells with only one possible candidate), and hidden singles (numbers that can only go in one cell within a row, column, or box). These three techniques are sufficient to solve most easy and many medium puzzles.
Ready to put your skills to the test?
Try Final Sudoku - an ad-free Sudoku experience with smart tools