<p>Instead of the standard Sudoku 9x9 grid, in Sudoku Mini you'll solve a 6x6 grid. Some of the grid squares already contain the answers. To complete the puzzle, fill in the empty squares of the grid with the digits 1 through 6.</p><p>The puzzle is solved when each row, column, and house contains the digits 1 through 6 with each digit only appearing once.</p>

<p>Up your<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/sudoku/sudoku-daily"><strong>Sudoku</strong></a> game! Although incorporating notes in the puzzle may seem like more work at first, rest assured it's a valuable asset that will enhance your solving skills—especially when you’re stuck.</p><p>Sudoku with notes is a game-changer when there is not an obvious solution for which candidate (number) to place in a cell. Rather than place a "maybe" candidate, you fill in all the possible options lightly in the corner of a cell, focusing on the numbers already on the grid. This way, you don't need to rely on your memory to know which candidates are still available to use.</p><p>You may find that solving Sudoku with notes is pretty much mandatory as you start to solve more difficult puzzles, like a five-star Sudoku, <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/sudoku/sudoku-x"><strong>Sudoku X</strong></a>, or the behemoth <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/sudoku/sudoku-mega"><strong>Sudoku Mega</strong></a>.</p><p>Here’s one final Sudoku notes tip: We don't consider using Auto Notes a hint. (That's when the game fills in all possible notes automatically with one click.) This means if you choose Auto Notes, your score will not be affected and it'll still be eligible for steaks, stats, and leaderboard. Purists may fight us on that, but we stand by the decision.</p><p>So, are you team notes or no notes? Try online <strong>Sudoku</strong> with pencil marks on <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/sudoku/sudoku-daily">today's level</a>!</p>

Whether you’re a Sudoku newbie or a seasoned solver, notes are a helpful tool.

Partially filled Sudoku grid with zipper across cartoon lips

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<p>First published by New York-based Dell Puzzle Magazines in 1979 under the name <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/sudoku">Number Place</a>, Sudoku as we know it today didn’t hit the mainstream until 2005. The Times of London published a <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/sudoku/sudoku-daily"><strong>Sudoku</strong></a> in late 2004, other British newspapers followed, and the rest, as they say, is history.</p><p>Almost two decades later, <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/sudoku"><strong>Sudoku</strong></a> is still mystifying the masses. While the rules for Sudoku puzzles are relatively simple—fill a 9x9 grid with digits from 1 to 9, ensuring each row, column, and 3x3 subgrid contains all the numbers without repetition—your daily Sudoku can vary in difficulty fairly widely from day to day. But knowledge is power, friends, and many of these strategies are made easier with the Auto-Notes option on the Puzzle Society's Sudoku games. The next time your Sudoku leaves you stymied, try one of these Sudoku strategies.&nbsp;</p><h2>X-Wing Method Sudoku</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://cmsassets.puzzlesociety.com/assets/assets/X_Wing_sudoku_solving_strategy_9d9c048f56.jpg" alt="Sudoku board showing the X Wing strategy"><figcaption>The four corners of the boxes with 5 as a candidate form a rectangle. Since 5 is not a candidate elsewhere in Row E or Row I, all 5 candidates in Columns 5 and 8 can be eliminated.</figcaption></figure><p>The X-Wing method is one of the more advanced Sudoku-solving techniques. Largely focused on the two parallel rows or two parallel columns, players needn’t pay attention to the 3x3 subgrid blocks as they aren’t involved in this strategy. An X-Wing occurs when two rows or columns have only two possible locations for a specific digit, resulting in an “X” shape. By identifying and analyzing this pattern, solvers can eliminate the possibility of a digit in an intersecting cell and narrow down the number of possible solutions.</p><h2>Sudoku Swordfish</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://cmsassets.puzzlesociety.com/assets/assets/Screen_Shot_2024_04_03_at_3_51_10_PM_8a9f632008.jpg" alt="Screen Shot 2024-04-03 at 3.51.10 PM.jpg"><figcaption>In this example, 6 is the only candidate in two cells and three rows (Rows A, F, and I). All of the other 6's in the shared columns (Columns 1, 2, and 9) can be eliminated.</figcaption></figure><p>Swordfish is similar to X-wing Sudoku but uses three sets of cells instead of two. When a digit appears in three different cells in one row, and the rows align in a way that forms three columns with the same number, that’s known as the swordfish pattern. Using the technique, solvers can eliminate a candidate from the grid when it appears in rows and columns that are not part of the swordfish pattern. If it’s not abundantly clear by the aforementioned explanation, the swordfish is an advanced sudoku strategy; rookies should proceed with caution.&nbsp;</p><h2>Forcing Chains Sudoku</h2><p><img src="https://cmsassets.puzzlesociety.com/assets/assets/Forcing_Chains_sudoku_solving_strategy_9d44210cb8.jpg" alt="Sudoku board demonstrating the Forcing Chains solving strategy"></p><p>When your online Sudoku puzzle proves nettlesome, you could try “forcing chains.” Considered another advanced Sudoku technique, forcing chains involves creating a linked sequence of cells, where eliminating a digit in one cell forces a subsequent digit elimination. Think of this Sudoku strategy as a domino effect where one move leads to further deductions. Keep in mind that this is not guaranteed to be a successful strategy on the first try—it's more of a "try it out and see what happens" approach.</p><p><a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/sudoku/sudoku-x"><strong>Try these solving strategies on Sudoku X</strong></a>!</p><h2>Sudoku XY Wing<br>&nbsp;</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://cmsassets.puzzlesociety.com/assets/assets/Sudoku_Swordfish_strategy_9c726d1374.jpg" alt="sudoku board demonstrating swordfish strategy"><figcaption>The cells intersect at Row I, Column 6. Since that intersection cell contains a number that is shared by the cells at Row A, Column 6 and Row I, Column 2; the number 4 can be eliminated.</figcaption></figure><p>Also known as the Y Wing, the XY Wing is another unique Sudoku strategy that can help you when you’re stumped. This strategy focuses on three cells with only two possibilities each. Find a cell with two candidates. Look for two more cells with two candidates each. These two cells should be in the same row, column, or block as the original cell. Also, one of the two numbers in each cell should be the same as in the first cell you marked. Look at where two cells intersect—if that intersection cell contains a number that's shared by both of those two cells, it can be eliminated.</p><h2>Naked Pairs Sudoku</h2><p><img src="https://cmsassets.puzzlesociety.com/assets/assets/Naked_Pairs_sudoku_solving_strategy_6c1da0c3c1.jpg" alt="Sudoku board demonstrating the Naked Pairs solving strategy"></p><p>If you want to try the “naked pairs” method in your next online Sudoku game, you’ll need to identify two cells within a row, column, or block containing the same pair of possibilities. By eliminating these possibilities from other cells in the same row, column, or block, you’ll make progress in filling the grid.</p><h2>Sudoku Hidden Pair</h2><p><img src="https://cmsassets.puzzlesociety.com/assets/assets/Hidden_Pair_sudoku_solving_strategy_7ce4c1e45d.jpg" alt="Sudoku board demonstrating the Hidden Pair solving strategy"></p><p>Unlike naked pairs, ”hidden pairs” involves two cells containing the same pair of candidates—but with additional candidates in other cells. Solvers can simplify their Sudoku puzzle by identifying and eliminating the other candidates from these two cells.</p><p><a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/sudoku/sudoku-mini"><strong>Want a quick Sudoku solve? Try Sudoku Mini</strong></a>.</p><h2>Sudoku Pointing Pair</h2><p><img src="https://cmsassets.puzzlesociety.com/assets/assets/Pointing_Pair_sudoku_solving_strategy_baadd2e956.jpg" alt="Sudoku board demonstrating the Pointing Pair solving strategy"></p><p>A Sudoku “pointing pair” occurs when a candidate is restricted to a specific row or column within a block. Solvers can narrow down the possibilities by recognizing and eliminating the candidate from other cells in the affected row or column.</p><h2>Nishio Sudoku<br><img src="https://cmsassets.puzzlesociety.com/assets/assets/Nishio_sudoku_solving_strategy_c132961f58.jpg" alt="Sudoku grid demonstrating the Nishio solving strategy"></h2><p>With “nishio Sudoku,” solvers essentially find a cell with only a few candidates and use a trial-and-error method to explore that candidate for a cell. Walking it back just a bit, solvers start by picking one candidate and proceed to work through the puzzle. If they choose right, great. If they choose wrong, it’s back to the drawing board. Nishio is a far more advanced Sudoku strategy, but it might help you make some headway when all others fail.</p><p><br>Seasoned Sudoku players will tell you that a good Sudoku strategy combines basic techniques and advanced strategies. If your next Sudoku puzzle is more challenging than you anticipated, strategies like swordfish, forcing chains, and nishio (along with patience and a keen eye) can be invaluable tools in your Sudoku-solving arsenal.</p><p><a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/sudoku"><strong>See all Sudoku puzzles on the Puzzle Society</strong></a>.</p>

When it’s time to call in for reinforcements, these Sudoku strategies might help.

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<p>With 20 years of evolution behind it, Sudoku puzzles have moved far beyond the <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/sudoku/sudoku-daily">classic 9x9 grid.</a> The Puzzle Society offers different types of Sudoku, including <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/sudoku/sudoku-mini"><strong>Sudoku Mini</strong></a>, <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/sudoku/sudoku-daily"><strong>Sudoku X</strong></a>, and mind-bending options like <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/sudoku/sudoku-mega"><strong>Sudoku Mega</strong></a>. But there’s plenty more to explore. When your daily Sudoku habit leaves you feeling a little boxed in, shake things up with these Sudoku variants. &nbsp;</p><h2>Killer Sudoku</h2><p>We’re guessing this Sudoku puzzle earns its name because—in addition to filling your 9x9 grids and ensuring each row, column, and 3x3 subgrid contains the digits 1 to 9 without repetition—there’s a little math thrown into the mix. Upping the ante just a bit, Killer Sudoku features groups of cells that form ‘cages’ with a designated sum. Solvers not only need to place numbers correctly but also have to make sure everything computes.&nbsp;</p><h2>Sudoku Mini</h2><p>As its name implies, <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/sudoku/sudoku-mini"><strong>Sudoku Mini</strong></a> condenses the classic Sudoku puzzle you know and love into a smaller grid, often 6x6 or 4x4. But don’t be fooled. Sudoku Mini is small but mighty—equally challenging and equally satisfying.&nbsp;</p><h2>Super Sudoku</h2><p>If bigger is better, try your skills with Super Sudoku. Bumping the classic 9x9 grid to 16x16 or 25x25, this Sudoku variant will most certainly demand a higher level of logical reasoning and concentration. (We call ours <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/sudoku/sudoku-mega"><strong>Sudoku Mega</strong></a>—and it includes numbers and letters.)</p><h2>Twin Sudoku</h2><p>Doubling down on the challenge (sorry, we couldn’t resist), Twin Sudoku features two interlinked grids where the solvers can only complete the puzzles by substituting the corresponding values from one grid into the other.</p><h2>Sub Doku</h2><p>Sub Doku is an umbrella term for Sudoku puzzles with fewer cells than the standard 9x9 grid. These Sudoku variants may feature a smaller grid, but they’re still pretty challenging.</p><p>Common Sub Doku puzzles include:</p><ul><li><strong>Twodoku</strong>: a 2x2 grid&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Shidoku</strong>: a 4x4 grid&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Godoku</strong>: a 5x5 grid&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Rokudoku</strong>: a 6x6 grid</li></ul><h2>Prime Doku</h2><p>For the mathematicians among us, Prime Doku requires players to fill the grid with prime numbers. This Sudoku variant challenges your logic and math skills in the classic Sudoku structure you’re familiar with.&nbsp;</p><h2>Jigsaw Sudoku</h2><p>Jigsaw Sudoku shakes things up with irregularly shaped regions, challenging solvers to think outside the box. (It writes itself, folks.)</p><h2>Hyper Sudoku</h2><p>Much like standard Sudoku puzzles, solvers playing Hyper Sudoku must fill the numbers from 1 to 9 into the blank cells. The twist here is that within your standard 9x9 grid, you have four 3x3 subgrids to deal with—a head-scratcher indeed.&nbsp;</p><h2>Sandwich Sudoku</h2><p>In this complex Sudoku variant, solvers are given extra numbers on the outside of the grid. These number clues are the sum of the digits “sandwiched” between the 1 and 9 in that row or column.&nbsp;</p><h2>Sudoku X</h2><p>If you’re ready to lean into a new challenge, try <a href="https://www.puzzlesociety.com/member/sudoku/sudoku-x"><strong>Sudoku X</strong></a>. This Sudoku puzzle offers your standard number fill-in, but the numbers 1 to 9 must also appear diagonally from top left to bottom right and top right to bottom left in the grid.</p><p>If the classic 9x9 Sudoku grid isn’t as challenging as it once was, there are myriad types of Sudoku to try. Whether you prefer to explore number theory with Prime Sudoku or test your fast math skills with Killer Sudoku, these Sudoku variants are a great way to mix it up from one day to the next.&nbsp;</p>

Feeling uninspired by your daily Sudoku? Try one of these 10 Sudoku variants to shake things up.

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<p>Creator interviews, exclusive Sudoku Mini hints and tips, and the latest in puzzling news.</p>

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Sudoku Mini

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Sneak in a pocket-size 6x6 Sudoku when you need a puzzle break.

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Give a daily Sudoku puzzle a shot with this 9x9 original.

Sudoku

This Sudoku puzzle ups the ante on the original: The X in the middle is also a no-repeat zone.

Sudoku X

<p>Try playing Sudoku Mini with our free preview packs.</p>

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<p>Sneak in a pocket-size 6x6 Sudoku during your lunch break, coffee break, or “just don’t want to be productive anymore” break.</p>

How-To: Sudoku Mini 

You can sneak in a smaller 6x6 Sudoku Mini puzzle during your lunch break or coffee break. Become a Puzzle Society member to play! 

Sudoku Mini - Sudoku | Puzzle Society

Play Sudoku Mini: A pocket-size numbers game you can solve fast

Sneak in a 6x6 Sudoku puzzle during your lunch break, coffee break, or “just don’t want to be productive anymore” break.

Sudoku Mini

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How to Use Sudoku Notes

8 Sudoku Solving Strategies to Try Next Time You’re Stuck

10 Sudoku Variants That Go Way Beyond 9x9

About Sudoku Mini

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