So, you have opened the grid on thesudoku.com, and you are staring at a wall of numbers. It looks intimidating. You might be thinking, “I’m not good at math, how can I do this?”
Here is the good news: Sudoku requires absolutely zero math.
You don’t need to add, subtract, or multiply. You just need to spot patterns. Sudoku is a game of logic, patience, and elimination. Whether you are playing to relax or to wake up your brain, getting started is easier than you think.
If you are playing for the first time, avoid the “Hard” or “Master” tabs for now. Select “Easy,” take a deep breath, and use these 5 tips to master your first puzzle.
1. Scan for the “Low Hanging Fruit”
When you start a fresh game, don’t look at the empty white spaces. Look at the crowded areas first.
Scan the grid for rows, columns, or 3×3 squares that are already mostly filled with numbers. If a row has 8 numbers filled in and only one empty spot, it is easy to solve: just figure out which number from 1 to 9 is missing. Filling in these easy gaps gives you momentum and helps reveal harder numbers later. You can read more details in our “Last Free Cell” technique guide.
2. The “Cross-Hatching” Technique
This is the most important tool for a beginner. Instead of looking at one empty cell and wondering “what goes here?”, look at the numbers.
- Pick a number: Let’s say, number 7.
- Scan the large blocks: Look at the 3×3 boxes.
- Trace the lines: If there is a 7 in the top row and a 7 in the middle row, then logically, the 7 in the remaining box must go in the bottom row.
By visualizing these horizontal and vertical lines (cross-hatching), you can eliminate impossible spots and find the only possible home for a number. See more details in our “Last Possible Cell” technique description.
3. Don’t Guess! (Logic Over Luck)
This is the golden rule of Sudoku. If you find yourself thinking, “Maybe it’s a 4, I’ll just put it there and see what happens,” stop immediately.
Sudoku is a game of certainty. Every number has one specific place. If you guess, you will likely make a mistake that won’t become obvious until 10 minutes later, forcing you to restart the whole game. If you aren’t 100% sure, don’t place it. Move to a different part of the grid instead.
4. Use “Notes” (Pencil Marks)
You don’t have to keep everything in your head. On thesudoku.com, you can activate “Notes” mode.
If you look at a box and realize a cell could be a 3 or a 6, write them both down as small notes. As you solve other parts of the puzzle, you might place a 3 in that column elsewhere. Suddenly, your note tells you the answer: the original cell cannot be a 3 anymore, so it must be a 6.
5. Focus on One Number at a Time
Beginners often let their eyes wander all over the board, which can feel overwhelming. To make an impressive start, be systematic.
Focus strictly on the number 1. Scan the whole board for 1s. See if you can place any missing 1s using the cross-hatching technique. Once you are stuck, move to number 2, then 3, and so on. By the time you reach 9, you will often find that the board has opened up, making it easier to go back to 1 and finish the job.
Ready to Solve Your First Grid?
Now that you know the secrets, that grid doesn’t look so scary, does it?
Remember, speed comes with practice. Take your time, enjoy the logic, and feel that satisfaction when you place the final number.
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