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Medium Sudoku
The sweet spot: harder than a coffee-break solve, but every move is still pure logic. Medium boards are where most players settle in.
Play Medium Sudoku free →What makes a puzzle "medium"?
Medium 9×9 puzzles give you fewer starting clues than easy, so naked and hidden singles alone won't carry you to the end. You'll need to start eliminating candidates: locked candidates (pointing and claiming) and naked pairs become the workhorses. Typical solve time is 6–12 minutes.
- Around 30–34 starting clues — enough structure, real thinking required.
- Best technique to learn here: locked candidates and naked pairs.
- Pencil notes start to matter — turn them on and prune as you go.
Stepping up from easy
If easy puzzles have started to feel automatic, medium is the natural next rung. The jump isn't about speed — it's about spotting eliminations before you can place a digit. Our tips & strategies walk through exactly that shift.
Frequently asked questions
Do medium Sudoku puzzles ever need guessing?
No. Every Playoku puzzle has a single solution reachable by logic. If you're stuck, there's a deduction waiting — or drop the board into the solver to see the next step.
How long should a medium Sudoku take?
Most solvers finish in 6–12 minutes. With practice on locked candidates and pairs, that drops fast.