Medium Sudoku
Medium Sudoku
Today's Medium Sudoku adds a layer of thinking beyond basic scanning. You'll find cells where two or three numbers seem possible — and that's where pencil marks become your best tool. Work systematically, eliminate candidates, and the grid will open up.
What to expect
Medium puzzles start with 30–35 given digits. Basic scanning will get you partway, but you'll hit points where no cell has an obvious single answer. This is where pencil marks help — write small candidate numbers in each empty cell, then eliminate them as you solve surrounding cells.
Practical tip: When you're stuck, pencil-mark an entire box or row. Write every possible number in each empty cell, then look for cells where only one candidate remains after elimination. Hidden singles — where a number can only go in one place within a box — are your main weapon at this level.
Medium Sudoku is where solving gets sharper. You still use singles, but you also start managing candidates and seeing small interactions between rows, columns, and boxes. This level is ideal when easy puzzles feel automatic and you want more focus without jumping into heavy advanced techniques. Expect solve times around 10–30 minutes, with a satisfying rhythm: scan, note, eliminate, place. The most useful upgrades here are naked pairs and pointing pairs, alongside clean fundamentals. If you need a refresher, use how to play Sudoku. Prefer paper solving? Grab free weekly files at printable medium Sudoku. Ready for a bigger jump? Move up to hard Sudoku.
Medium Sudoku FAQ
What techniques do I need for Medium Sudoku?
Naked singles, hidden singles, and occasionally naked pairs. Visit our strategies hub for step-by-step guides on each technique.
When should I start using pencil marks?
As soon as scanning alone stops producing answers. On Medium puzzles, this usually happens after you've filled 15–25 cells. Don't wait until you're stuck — pencil-mark early to keep momentum.
How long does a Medium Sudoku take?
Typically 10–25 minutes for regular solvers. If you're moving up from Easy, expect 20–35 minutes at first.
Is today's Medium puzzle harder than yesterday's?
Each day's puzzle is independently generated. Difficulty stays within the Medium range but the specific challenge varies — some days will feel easier than others.
How do I move from Medium to Hard?
When you can consistently finish Medium puzzles in under 15 minutes without long stalls, you're ready. Hard puzzles introduce pointing pairs and box-line reduction.