How to Play Classic Sudoku

THE PLAYBOOK · TJHAIZHONG

How to play Classic Sudoku

Try Classic Sudoku at your own pace and keep its objective in view. Fill all cells with 1–9; do not repeat a symbol in any row, column or region. Look at what changes after your first action. Keep the instructions close while learning this activity. Use the example below to understand a decision.

Read before acting

Read one step at a time and try it on the playing area. Match the instruction to the control you use. Make the next step deliberately.

Your goal

Fill all cells with 1–9; do not repeat a symbol in any row, column or region. Use the instructions to see which actions move you towards it. Review the board or playing area as it changes.

Step by step

1. Select an empty cell. The original clues cannot be edited.
2. Choose a symbol from the number pad, or type it on a keyboard.
3. Turn Notes on to record candidate symbols without committing an answer.
4. Use Check entries to check your filled values. Hint reveals one value from the verified solution.
5. Complete the board, or choose New puzzle for another board.

Controls

Tap or click a cell and use the number pad. Keyboard: arrows select cells; digits (and A–G on 16×16) enter values; Backspace erases. A careful first action helps you become familiar with the layout. Use one clear input at a time.

A useful example

On one puzzle in this collection, row 1, column 1 has 8 in its solution. Read the clues on your current board before using that value; another puzzle can need a different entry. Focus on why the action is allowed, not only its outcome. Keep the game’s format in mind.

Watch out for this

Notes are reminders, not final entries. A full board only counts as complete when it satisfies every rule. Read the feedback to see why an action did not have the expected result. After a move, check what changed. Decide which rule explains the new state before acting again.

Common questions