About Medium Sudoku
Medium Sudoku is the sweet spot for most daily players. With 34 to 38 clues the board feels open at first, and the easy moves run out sooner — that is the point where real reasoning begins.
You will still solve most medium puzzles with scanning alone, but every so often you will reach a moment where no single cell is obvious. That is your cue to start pencilling candidates into the tightest box or row.
Every medium puzzle is checked by our step-by-step solver before you see it: it must need techniques up to locked candidates. So the label always matches the challenge. Stuck? The hint button names the technique and walks you through it.
Best for
Players who finish easy boards comfortably and want a little more resistance.
Techniques you will use
- Hidden singles
- Naked singles
- Light candidate notes
- Pointing pairs (occasionally)
Tips for medium Sudoku
- Scan by digit first, then by unit: check each row, column and box that is at least two-thirds full.
- When you stall, add notes only to the most crowded box. Two or three candidates per cell is usually enough to reveal the next move.
- Look for a digit whose candidates in a box all sit on one row or column — it removes that digit from the rest of the line (a pointing pair).
- Use undo freely. Trying an idea and stepping back is part of learning, and it costs nothing here.
Want the full method? Read our Sudoku tips and strategy guide or the beginner's guide to playing Sudoku.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between easy and medium Sudoku?
Medium boards start with fewer clues (34–38 instead of 40–45), so the obvious moves run out sooner and you need to track candidates now and then.
Do I need pencil notes for medium?
Usually only briefly. Most medium puzzles can be solved by scanning, with notes helping you through one or two harder moments.
How long does a medium Sudoku take?
Most players finish in 10 to 20 minutes. With practice, under 10 minutes is very achievable.