Gold Sudoku

The classic number puzzle, now supercharged to challenge your logic and sharpen your mind. With various difficulty levels and smart assist features, it's ideal for both newcomers and puzzle pros.

How to Play

The goal of Sudoku is to fill the entire 9×9 grid with numbers from 1 to 9, without repeating any number in a row, column, or 3×3 box.

Starting Position: Each puzzle begins with some numbers already placed (called "givens" or initial values). These cannot be changed and serve as clues to help you solve the rest of the puzzle.

Game Controls

Master these controls to efficiently fill the Sudoku grid:

Action How to Do It Keyboard Mouse
Select Cell
Choose where to place a number		 Tap any empty cell Use arrow keys to move to the desired cell Click on the desired cell
Enter Number
Fill the selected cell		 Tap the desired number (1-9) on the number pad Press the number keys (1-9) Click the number buttons (1-9)
Delete Number
Remove a number you entered		 Tap the Delete button or tap the number to remove Press the Delete key or press the number to remove Click Delete or click the number button to remove
Add Notes
Mark possible numbers		 Enable Notes mode, then tap the number to add Enable Notes mode, then press the number to add Enable Notes mode, then click the number button to add
Delete Notes
Remove notes from a cell		 Enable Notes mode, then tap the number to remove Enable Notes mode, then press the number to remove Enable Notes mode, then click the number button to remove
Navigate the Grid
Move between cells		 Tap different cells Use arrow keys to move around Click different cells

Difficulty Levels

Gold Sudoku offers 5 carefully designed difficulty levels to match your skill level:

  • Easy: Perfect for beginners. Solutions can be found using basic techniques.
  • Medium: Requires logical deduction and pattern recognition skills.
  • Hard: Challenges experienced players with fewer clues and more complex logical steps.
  • Expert: Demands advanced Sudoku techniques and careful analysis.
  • Master: The ultimate challenge for Sudoku masters, requiring sophisticated solving strategies.

Features and Tools

Gold Sudoku includes powerful features to enhance your solving experience:

  • Hints: Get up to 5 hints per puzzle. The game will reveal a correct number when you're stuck, helping you find the solution.
  • Notes System: Enable Notes mode to jot down possible numbers in each cell. This helps track your logical deductions.
  • Candidates: Automatically displays all mathematically possible numbers for each empty cell—perfect for advanced solving techniques.
  • Show Errors: Instantly highlights incorrect entries in red, preventing you from building on wrong assumptions.
  • Duplicate Detection: Automatically marks cells when numbers repeat in the same row, column, or 3×3 box.
  • Group Highlighting: When you select a cell, the related row, column, and 3×3 box are highlighted for better visibility.
  • Number Highlighting: All instances of the same number are highlighted when selected, making it easier to spot patterns.
  • Undo Function: Made a mistake? Use the Undo button to reverse your last move and try a different approach.
  • Challenge Mode: Turn it on for an extra challenge: you start with 5 lives and lose one for each incorrect number entered.
  • Timer and Pause: Track your solving time and pause the game when needed. Perfect for taking breaks without losing your progress.
  • Auto-Save: Your progress is automatically saved. Close your browser and return later to continue exactly where you left off.
  • Statistics Tracking: View detailed statistics including games played, win percentage, best times, and current streaks.
  • Daily Streak: Increases each time you successfully solve at least one puzzle in a day. If you don't achieve a win in a day, the streak resets. It's a great way to stay motivated and maintain daily practice.
  • Win Streak: Shows how many consecutive games you've solved successfully. If you fail one, the streak resets. Perfect for measuring your performance and accuracy.

Solving Strategies

Master these fundamental techniques to become a better Sudoku solver:

  • Naked Single: If a cell can only contain one number based on row, column, and box constraints, fill it in.
  • Hidden Single: If a number can only go in one position within a row, column, or box, place it there.
  • Elimination: Use the Notes feature to track which numbers are possible in each cell, eliminating options as you fill in other numbers.
  • Visual Scanning: Look for patterns and use the highlighting features to identify where specific numbers can and cannot go.
  • Group Analysis: Focus on one row, column, or 3×3 box at a time to identify which numbers are missing and where they can fit.

Tips for Success

  • Start with Easy Targets: Look for rows, columns, or boxes that are nearly complete and fill in the obvious numbers first.
  • Use the Tools: Don't hesitate to turn on error checking, candidate viewing, and highlighting features—they're designed to help you learn and improve.
  • Take Your Time: Sudoku rewards careful thinking over speed. Use the pause feature when you need to step away and think.
  • Learn from Hints: When you use a hint, try to understand why that number goes in that position. This will improve your solving skills.
  • Practice Regularly: The more you play, the better you'll become at recognizing patterns and applying solving techniques.
  • Challenge Yourself: Once you're comfortable with one difficulty level, try the next one to keep improving your skills.