Easy sudoku

Easy puzzles are where everyone starts, and plenty of experienced players come back to them for a relaxing solve. If you are new to sudoku, coming back after a long break, or just want a gentle puzzle with your morning tea, this is the place.

Which techniques you need

Every Easy puzzle on sudoku.ie can be solved with just two techniques:

• Naked singles: a cell where only one digit can go.
• Hidden singles: a digit that has only one place left in a row, column or box.

You find most of them by scanning, which means checking each box for each missing digit. You do not need notes, though you can use them if you like. If you are brand new, start with our guide to the basics.

How long it takes

Most people finish an Easy puzzle in 5 to 15 minutes. Your first few might take longer, and that is fine. Times drop quickly with practice.

When to play

Monday’s daily puzzle is always Easy, so the week starts gently. You can play more Easy puzzles any day from the archive or the printables page.

A tip

Start with the digit you can see most often on the grid. If there are already seven 4s, there are only two left to find, and the existing ones make them easy to place. After each placement, look at the row, column and box you just filled. The next move is often right beside the last one.