Printable Easy Sudoku for Beginners

An easy sudoku on SudokuIt starts with 30 of its 81 digits filled in. That leaves 51 empty cells, and you can fill almost all of them with singles: a cell with only one digit left, or a digit with only one place left. No pairs, no patterns, no pencil marks to manage.

What you need to know to solve it

• Last possible number. When a cell's row, column and box already hold eight different digits between them, the ninth goes in. You can spot these without writing anything down.
• Hidden single. Pick a digit and a box. If the digit fits in only one cell of that box, it goes there, even if the cell could take other digits too. About seven easy puzzles in ten need at least one of these.
• Naked single vs hidden single explains the difference between the two questions, which is the whole skill at this level.

Once in a while an easy grid gets stuck with every single used up. It is rare: 4 of our 484 easy puzzles do. Three of them go on with a pointing pair or a claiming group, and the fourth needs a pair.

How long it takes

Expect about 10 to 25 minutes once you know the singles. Your first one on paper may take longer.

How to print it

Print it plain and solve it in pen. Cells are a little under 1 cm, which is plenty for one clear digit, and at this level you rarely need candidates. When a cell is undecided, leave it and look elsewhere. Another single will open up.

Tick Solutions if someone else will check the work. The answer comes on its own second page, so a parent or teacher can keep it aside. For a class, print the same PDF several times: everyone gets the same puzzle, and one answer sheet checks them all.

Who this is for

First-time solvers, older children who are comfortable with the digits 1 to 9, and regular solvers who want a short warm-up. These are full 9×9 grids. We do not print the 4×4 or 6×6 grids made for young children.

All printable levels are on the printable sudoku page. If you would rather solve on screen, play easy sudoku online.