How Sudoku works
Easy Sudoku puzzles start with 45 of the 81 cells already filled, which is more than half the grid. That density means almost every cell can be resolved by scanning: pick a digit, look at which rows, columns and boxes already contain it, and the remaining position is usually forced.
At this level you should never need pencil notes. If you find yourself writing candidate lists on an easy grid, you are probably scanning cell by cell rather than digit by digit. Choose the digit that appears most often on the board and place every remaining instance of it before moving to the next one. That single change in approach typically halves solve times.
Most people finish an easy grid in 5 to 10 minutes. Under 4 minutes is quick. If you are consistently finishing under 5, move up to medium, because easy puzzles stop teaching you anything once scanning becomes automatic.
Easy Sudoku at a glance
| Easy | |
|---|---|
| Starting clues | 45 |
| Typical solve time | 5 – 10 minutes |
| Techniques needed | Scanning and single candidates |
| Empty cells | 36 |
| Pencil notes | Not needed |
How to solve faster
- Work one digit at a time, not one cell at a time. Pick the digit already appearing most often on the board and place every remaining instance before touching another. On a 45-clue grid this alone solves most of the puzzle, and it is several times faster than examining cells individually.
- Start with the fullest box. Whichever three by three box has the most clues will resolve first and open its neighbours. Working outward from density beats working left to right.
- Skip pencil notes entirely at this level. If you find yourself writing candidate lists on an easy grid, you are scanning wrong rather than facing a hard puzzle. Switch to digit-by-digit scanning and the notes become unnecessary.
Frequently asked questions
How many clues does an easy Sudoku have?
Forty-five, which is more than half of the 81 cells. That density is what makes basic scanning sufficient and means no advanced technique is ever required.
Should I use pencil notes on easy puzzles?
No. Easy grids are designed to be solvable by scanning alone, and reaching for notes usually indicates you are examining cells one at a time instead of tracking a single digit across the grid.
How fast should I finish an easy Sudoku?
Five to ten minutes is normal. Under four is quick. If you are consistently under five minutes, move up to medium, because easy grids stop developing your technique once scanning becomes automatic.
Is easy Sudoku good for beginners?
It is the right place to start. Forty-five clues gives you enough structure to learn the scanning habit without ever hitting a wall that needs candidate bookkeeping to get past.