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Mini Sudoku: the 6 by 6 puzzle
Mini Sudoku works exactly like the classic game, on a smaller board. There are 36 squares, six rows, six columns and six boxes, and you use the numbers 1 to 6.
Each box is two rows tall and three columns wide. That shape matters: a number that is missing from a box can only sit in one of its two rows, which often gives the answer away quickly. A game takes a few minutes, which makes Mini Sudoku a good break and a good way to learn.
How it differs from the 9 by 9 game
The rules are the same. What changes is the pace. With six numbers instead of nine, each square has fewer options, so you find the next move faster and notes stay short. The techniques in our strategy guide all work here, and they are easier to spot on a small grid.
Questions people ask
What are the rules of Mini Sudoku?
Fill the 6 by 6 grid so that every row, every column and every box of two rows by three columns holds the numbers 1 to 6 once each.
How long does a game take?
Most people finish an Easy puzzle in two or three minutes. Hard puzzles take longer because you start with only about a third of the grid filled in.
Is Mini Sudoku good for learning?
Yes. The same techniques work on both sizes, and on a small grid it is easier to see why a number has to go where it does. Once Hard feels comfortable, try Classic Sudoku on Easy or Medium.