About Expert Sudoku
Expert Sudoku starts with just 27 to 29 clues. At this level you will usually pencil candidates into the entire grid early on, then work the puzzle by elimination.
Expect long stretches where progress comes from removing a single candidate. The reward is the moment a whole region collapses into place.
Every expert puzzle is checked by our step-by-step solver before you see it: it must need techniques up to X-Wing & XY-Wing — and at least pairs & triples. So the label always matches the challenge. Stuck? The hint button names the technique and walks you through it.
Best for
Experienced players who already use pairs and want deeper logic.
Techniques you will use
- Naked & hidden triples
- X-Wing
- Box/line reduction
- Full candidate grids
Techniques that crack expert puzzles
- Look beyond pairs to triples: three cells in a unit whose candidates are drawn from the same three digits.
- X-Wing: when a digit appears in exactly two cells in each of two rows, and those cells share the same two columns, remove that digit from the rest of both columns. Our X-Wing guide walks through it step by step.
- Keep the clock out of mind. Pause whenever you need to — the board hides and the timer stops.
- If you stall for several minutes, recheck your notes. A single missing candidate is the most common cause of a dead end.
Want the full method? Read our Sudoku tips and strategy guide and the step-by-step X-Wing technique explainer.
Frequently asked questions
How many clues does an expert Sudoku have?
Between 27 and 29 of the 81 cells are filled at the start.
Do I need X-Wing to solve expert Sudoku?
Not every time, but often enough that it is worth learning. Many expert boards have one position that only an X-Wing or a triple can break.
Will my progress be saved if I close the tab?
Yes. vSudoku saves your board, notes, mistakes and time on this device automatically, so you can come back later and continue.