Sudoku Rules and How to Get Started
The basic rules of Sudoku and how to find your first move. We also cover the 6×6 grid for kids.
The rules
Fill a 9×9 grid with the numbers 1 to 9. No number may appear twice in the same column, the same row, or the same 3×3 box outlined by the thick lines. On a 6×6 grid, you place the numbers 1 to 6 once each in every row, column and box, where each box is 2 rows high and 3 columns wide.
Your first move
Start with the rows, columns and boxes that already hold the most numbers. For example, if a row has 8 numbers filled in, the one empty cell must be the one number that is missing.
A tip for thinking
Don't drop in numbers on a hunch. Fill in only the cells where you can state a reason, such as "this number can only go here." That prevents mistakes and makes it easier to backtrack when you get stuck.
What to read next
The next article explains how to spot cells that can hold only one number and numbers that have only one possible place.
More articles: The Two Basic Sudoku Techniques: Singles (One Number per Cell, One Cell per Number) / How to Use Notes (Candidates) in Sudoku / Sudoku Techniques: Pairs (Naked Pair and Hidden Pair) / Sudoku Techniques: Boxes and Lines (Pointing Pairs) / Sudoku Techniques: X-Wing / Sudoku Techniques: Trial and Error (for Demon, Hell and Abyss) / How Kids Can Play Sudoku (6×6)
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