Z Zeloku
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Easy → Evil · Rated by technique

Sudoku difficulty levels, explained

"Hard" is not a vibe — it's the hardest technique on the solving path. Here's what actually changes between levels, and today's board at each one.

Level Clues Techniques required Typical time Play
Easy 36–42 Naked + Hidden Singles 3–8 min Play Easy →
Medium 30–35 + Pencil marks, Naked Pair 8–20 min Play Medium →
Hard 26–29 + Pointing Pair, Box/Line Reduction 20–45 min Play Hard →
Expert 23–26 + X-Wing, Swordfish, XY-Wing 45+ min Play Expert →
Evil / Extreme 17–25 All of the above, stacked 60+ min Play Evil / Extreme →

Clue ranges are typical, not guarantees — technique rating is the true signal (see FAQ).

Today's board at every level

easy

8
3
4
1
2
4
2
8
1
5
2
6
9
7
8
3
4
9
7
7
6
9
2
7
6
1
2
3
1
5
3
6
7
3
5
1
7
9

~5 min · 38 clues

Play today's easy →

medium

8
3
7
6
2
4
8
1
4
9
7
6
5
2
4
6
9
8
9
2
4
3
8
2
6
4
6
6
4
8
2
7

~35 min · 32 clues

Play today's medium →

hard

4
9
3
2
8
1
6
8
7
6
4
3
5
9
2
9
2
4
4
2
4
8
9
3
4
5
9
6

~12 min · 28 clues

Play today's hard →

expert

2
4
7
6
9
7
3
8
4
5
5
3
6
8
2
1
8
9
4
2
7
9
4
5

~12 min · 24 clues

Play today's expert →

How to move up a level without misery

Master the new technique before you need it. Moving to Medium? Learn Naked Pair first. Moving to Hard? Get fluent in Pointing Pair. Expert? X-Wing. One technique per level, learned deliberately on the strategy ladder, is the entire secret.

Related: six-step solving method · solve hard step-by-step · variants if classic bores you

FAQ

How is Sudoku difficulty measured?
Serious raters score the techniques required, not just the clue count. Each logical move a human must make (single, pair, pointing, fish) carries a weight; the puzzle's difficulty is roughly the hardest technique on its solving path plus the total depth. That's why a 28-clue board can be easier than a 32-clue one.
Does fewer clues always mean a harder Sudoku?
No — clue count is a weak proxy. A 17-clue minimal puzzle can fall to singles if the clues are well-placed, while a 30-clue grid can demand X-Wing. Placement and structure matter more than the raw number. Always check the technique rating when a site offers one.
What difficulty of Sudoku should I play?
The level you finish in a comfortable session: 8–15 minutes with two techniques you actually think about is the sweet spot for improvement. If you're never stuck, go up. If you're stuck more than twice per board, go down. Consistency at Medium beats suffering at Expert.
What is the hardest Sudoku difficulty called?
There's no official ladder — sites label their top tier Expert, Master, Evil, Extreme or Diabolical. They all mean 'requires advanced patterns beyond pairs and pointing'. On Zeloku the ceiling is Evil/Extreme: minimum-clue boards where several advanced techniques must chain.
Can a beginner play Hard Sudoku?
Yes, with support. Learn Hidden Single and Naked Pair first, keep pencil marks religiously, and use a hint that names the technique (not just the digit). Expect 45 minutes your first time — that's normal, and it's how Medium players are made.

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