How to play 6x6 sudoku
- The grid has 6 rows, 6 columns and six boxes. Each box is 2 squares tall and 3 squares wide.
- Fill every empty square with a number from 1 to 6.
- Each number appears once in every row, once in every column and once in every box.
- Start with a box or row that is nearly full, then use each new number to unlock the next square.
Easy or medium?
| Level | Numbers given | What it takes |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | 18 of 36 | Every empty square has only one number that fits once you check its row, column and box. |
| Medium | 12 to 14 of 36 | Also needs the “only place” step: a number that can go in just one square of a row, column or box. |
Who is 6x6 sudoku for?
Children from about age 7 who have finished 4×4 puzzles are usually ready for 6×6, and the easy level makes a good second-grade math center or homework bonus. It is also a gentle start for adults who have never tried sudoku, and a short, satisfying puzzle for seniors who find a full 9×9 grid too long or too small. The squares in our PDFs are over half an inch wide, with bold numbers.
When 6×6 feels easy, the next step is our easy 9x9 sudoku, or the large print sudoku with one big puzzle per page.
Questions
Why are the boxes 2 by 3 and not square?
Six squares cannot make a square box, so 6x6 sudoku uses rectangles: 2 rows by 3 columns. There are still six boxes and each holds the numbers 1 to 6.
Is 6x6 sudoku good for seniors?
Yes. It follows the same rules as a full sudoku but takes only a few minutes, and our printed squares are large and easy to write in.
Where are the answers?
On the last page of each PDF, twelve answers numbered to match the puzzles. On screen, press Show solution.