4×4 Sudoku
The smallest sudoku: a 4×4 grid with digits 1-4. Perfect for kids and total beginners.
4×4·00:00
What 4×4 sudoku feels like.
4×4 sudoku is the gentlest way into the puzzle. The grid is just four rows, four columns, and four 2×2 boxes, and you place the digits 1 to 4 so none repeats in any row, column, or box. It teaches the single rule that underlies every sudoku, and most 4×4 grids solve in under a minute.
Rules
- Fill the 4×4 grid with digits 1 to 4.
- Each digit appears exactly once in every row.
- Each digit appears exactly once in every column.
- Each digit appears exactly once in every 2×2 box.
History
4×4 (and 6×6) grids are common in children's puzzle books and classrooms as a stepping stone to the full 9×9 sudoku.
- Key rule
- Digits 1-4, each once per row, column, and 2×2 box
- Difficulty range
- Very easy
- Tips
- Scan one digit at a time: find where the 1 must go in each row, column, and box.
- With only four options per cell, a cell often has just one candidate, place it.
- Once a row or column has three digits, the fourth is forced.