Fill in blank sudoku grid full size#
Fill in blank sudoku grid series#

Look at that - there’s a block and a column that are both missing the same number. Writing it in makes something interesting happen: Now we have a block that’s only missing one number - the 2. It’s the only number that can go in the blue square. Given that column already has a 1, a 2, and a 4, the missing number is a 3. Let’s take the highlighted column which only has one number missing: Looking back at our example, which is super-simple, there are a few places we could begin. The easiest place to start is with a part of the grid that’s already almost complete. But let’s lay it out there anyway, because making sure we understand the basics means we’ll have a good foundation for solving bigger, more complex grids. With a tiny grid like this, the logic to solve the puzzle is almost self-explanatory. And of course, each number can only show up once in each block.Īrmed with the numbers already present, and these simple rules, we can solve the puzzle.Every block in the grid also has to have every number from 1 to 4.Each number can only show up once in each column.Each column in the grid also has to contain all the numbers from 1 to 4.Each number is allowed only once in each row.Each row in the grid must include all of the numbers 1,2,3 and 4.Remember that sudoku comes from the Japanese for the numbers must be single? That means that: By the time we realise something is wrong, we won’t know where our mistake occurred and the only way forward would be to start over from the beginning. That’s because if we guess at the contents and get it wrong, we won’t necessarily know until we are much further into the puzzle. In fact, guessing is very bad and should never be part of solving a sudoku puzzle. We can always do this with logic - there’s no need to guess. The aim of the game of sudoku is to fill in the empty cells with the missing numbers. Here’s a 4x4 grid with some numbers filled in: At Puzzle Genius we prefer to stick with calling them blocks because, well, they’re kind of blocky. Some sudoku designers refers to blocks as boxes regions, or if they want to get really fancy, nonets. The grid has four rows (each comprising four cells), four columns (of four cells), and four blocks - also made up of four cells. It’s all wrapped up in a beautifully decorated book that kids will love.

Fill in blank sudoku grid full size#

It starts with small grids like this and works up to full size ones, with fun tutorials along the way. Note: If you have kids who you think would enjoy sudoku, we recommend Amelia Baker’s excellent Sudoku For Kids series. Small grids like this are great for kids. We call this a 4x4 grid because it’s four cells across and four down. In sudoku, each number in a grid can only appear once in each row, column, and block.īefore we go any further, let’s look at what a grid looks like, and explain some of that terminology. The rules of sudoku are encapsulated in its name, which comes from the Japanese Sūji wa dokushin ni kagiru, which means the numbers must be single. What’s that, you say? What are the rules? Great question! The Rules To get started, we’re going to begin with a smaller than usual grid of numbers. The aim of the game is very straightforward: to find all the missing numbers in a partially filled grid of numbers. Numbers are by far the most common symbol used in sudoku though, so that’s what we will stick with here. Some sudoku puzzles use letters (these are usually called wordoku). Some kids sudoku grids use shapes or icons. The numbers are just symbols, and in fact any kind of symbols can be used. That it uses numbers is almost incidental. It’s a good way to relax, to keep your mind sharp, and can be the perfect distraction from the difficult times we find ourselves in.Ĭontrary to popular belief, sudoku is not a mathematical puzzle. Sudoku is great fun, and is actually really easy to learn. We’ll take you from scratch to being able to solve most puzzles up to intermediate level.

Fill in blank sudoku grid series#

If you’ve never played sudoku but want to get started, or if you’ve ever looked at a sudoku grid and found it intimidating or impenetrable, then you’ve come to the right place! This tutorial series assumes zero knowledge of the popular puzzle game.