Hidden Single

The Hidden Single technique also uses pencil notes, but it’s a bit harder to spot the correct answer compared to Naked Single.


  1. Take a look at the pencil notes on this example.
Hidden single initial grid example

  1. Now take a look at the highlighted block. We can see that number 1 appears inside of only one cell.
Hidden single - spot the hidden candidate

  1. It means that it is the only place for number 1 in the block.
Sudoku grid after applying the hidden single technique

  1. Hidden Single can also be applied in a column or row.