Sudoku Difficulty Levels
The exact difficulty levels we offer for each grid size — six bands on 9×9, three on 6×6 mini, and one on the 4×4 kids grid.
Difficulty in Sudoku is not about bigger numbers — every puzzle uses the same digits and the same rules. It comes from how much logic a solve requires: an easy puzzle falls to simple scanning, while the hardest demand advanced chains and careful candidate tracking.
We offer different ladders of difficulty depending on the grid size. The 9×9 board has the full range; the 6×6 "mini" grid stops at hard; and the 4×4 "kids" grid offers a single, gentle level. The lists below are exact — these are the levels you will actually see on our boards.
9×9 — the full ladder
The classic 9×9 grid offers six levels, from a relaxed warm-up to puzzles that need the hardest techniques. Each step down the list typically means fewer givens and deductions that are harder to spot.
- Easy — solved by direct scanning; lots of givens.
- Medium — needs basic candidate tracking and hidden singles.
- Hard — requires naked/hidden pairs and locked candidates.
- Expert — calls for fish (X-Wing) and wing techniques.
- Master — sparse grids needing chains and coloring.
- Evil — the hardest band, with the fewest givens and the deepest logic.
6×6 mini — three levels
The 6×6 mini grid uses 2×3 boxes and the digits 1–6. It is a shorter, friendlier puzzle, so it offers only the first three levels — there is no expert, master or evil mini grid.
- Easy — gentle introduction on the small grid.
- Medium — a little more candidate work required.
- Hard — the toughest mini puzzles (no levels above this).
4×4 kids — one level
The 4×4 kids grid uses 2×2 boxes and the digits 1–4. It exists to teach the rules to young or first-time players, so it ships a single, deliberately gentle level.
- Easy — the only level; ideal for learning the rules.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the hardest Sudoku puzzles you offer?
- On the 9×9 grid the levels run easy, medium, hard, expert, master and evil — evil being the hardest, with the fewest givens and the deepest logic required.
- Why does the 6×6 grid stop at hard?
- The 6×6 mini grid is small, so it cannot support the clue density of expert and above. It offers easy, medium and hard only. The 4×4 kids grid offers a single easy level.
Related reading
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