How to play Sudoku
Nine Lives is the classic 9×9 Sudoku with a cat for a host: the cat and its theme are ours, the rules are the ones everybody knows.
- The grid is 9×9 and uses the numbers 1 to 9.
- Every row holds each number once.
- Every column holds each number once.
- Every box, a block of three rows by three columns, holds each number once.
- Tap a number, then the squares. Pencil mode jots small candidates.
Step by step
- 1 Every row, column and box holds each number once.Row1234341221434321Column1234341221434321Box1234341221434321
- 2 Pick a number and it lights up everywhere.133331
- 3 Tap a square to place it, tap again to erase.1243121421243412142124312142
- 4 Pencil mode jots small candidates instead. Long-press or right-click does the other one.1234
- 5 Hint shows where, then why.Tap Hint124312142Tap Why?1243412142
What you see
Given: fixed.
Yours: bronze.
Small marks: pencil.
Red: a repeat.
Solving tips
- Scan for a number that already sits in most boxes: its last home is often forced.
- Pick a number on the pad and it lights up everywhere, so gaps stand out.
- On harder puzzles, pencil in the candidates of a square and look for pairs that share the same two.
Questions
- Is this Sudoku free?
- Yes. It is free to play, with no account and nothing to download.
- Is there a daily Sudoku?
- Yes. A new Nine Lives puzzle every day, identical for every player. Solve it daily to keep a streak.
- How many levels are there?
- The daily plus a library of extra levels in four difficulties, from Gentle to Expert. Every puzzle has exactly one solution that logic alone can reach, so you never have to guess.