6x6 Sudoku
In Diem this puzzle is called Boxes. 4×4 is here too, for a gentle start.
Each row, column and box holds every number once.
Tap a square, then a number.
Use the arrow keys to move between squares. Type a number to fill a square; Backspace clears it.
6x6 Sudoku rules
- Every row holds the numbers 1 to 6 once.
- Every column holds the numbers 1 to 6 once.
- Every 2 × 3 box holds the numbers 1 to 6 once.
The difference from a newspaper 9×9 is the box. With six numbers, the grid splits into six boxes of 2 rows by 3 columns, two across and three down. Rows and boxes line up along the long side but not the short one, so look at columns with a little more care: a column passes through three boxes, a row through only two.
How to solve 6x6 Sudoku
These are the ideas Diem's Hint button uses, cheapest first. Hint rings the square you can work out and names the idea; it never shows the number.
1. Last Spot
2. Cross Out
3. Only Fit
4. Lock
And one more: Pairs. If two squares in a row can only hold the same two numbers, those numbers belong to them, and every other square in that row can drop both. You won't need Lock or Pairs here, but they make Hard boards faster, and the Diem app has levels built around them.
4x4 Sudoku for beginners
A 4×4 puzzle is the quickest way to learn Sudoku, for children and grown-ups alike. Choose the 4×4 tab above and solve two or three with Last Spot and Cross Out alone. When they feel easy, move to 6x6 Easy. Each 6×6 tab after that starts you with fewer numbers: about 20 on Easy, 15 on Medium and 10 on Hard.
FAQ
How do you play 6x6 Sudoku?
Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 2 × 3 box holds the numbers 1 to 6 once each. Tap a square, then a number. On a keyboard, move with the arrow keys and type the number.
How is 6x6 Sudoku different from 9x9?
It uses the numbers 1 to 6 instead of 1 to 9, and its boxes are rectangles of 2 rows by 3 columns instead of 3 × 3 squares. With 36 squares instead of 81, a puzzle takes a few minutes, and the same solving ideas work on both.
Is 4x4 Sudoku good for beginners?
Yes. A 4 × 4 grid with 2 × 2 boxes and the numbers 1 to 4 shows how Sudoku works in under a minute. Start there, then move to 6x6 Easy.
Does every puzzle have exactly one solution?
Every board here does. The generator counts the solutions of each board and keeps it only when there is exactly one, and only when it can be solved one square at a time without guessing.
Do I need an account to keep my best times?
No. Your best time for each size and difficulty is saved in this browser only. Clearing your browser data clears them.