sudokly
9×9 · Easy to expert

Wordoku

Classic sudoku with letters instead of numbers — sometimes a word appears on a diagonal.

SUDOKLYEN
About wordoku

What wordoku feels like.

Wordoku (also called letter sudoku or word sudoku) plays exactly like classic sudoku, but the nine symbols are letters instead of the digits 1 to 9. Each of the nine letters appears once per row, column, and 3×3 box. Many wordoku puzzles are built around a nine-letter word that reads out along a row or diagonal when solved.

Rules

  1. The grid uses nine distinct letters instead of the digits 1–9.
  2. Each letter appears exactly once in every row.
  3. Each letter appears exactly once in every column.
  4. Each letter appears exactly once in every 3×3 box.
  5. Some wordoku puzzles hide a nine-letter word along a row or diagonal.

History

Wordoku became popular in newspapers as a themed twist on sudoku, letting setters hide a relevant word in the solved grid.

Key rule
Nine letters instead of digits; often a hidden word
Difficulty range
Easy to expert
Tips
  • Solve it exactly like classic sudoku — the logic is identical; only the symbols change.
  • Mentally map the nine letters to 1–9 if it helps you scan.
  • Watch the marked row or diagonal for the hidden word as it fills in.

Wordoku FAQ

What is wordoku?

Wordoku is sudoku played with nine letters instead of the digits 1–9. Each letter appears once per row, column, and 3×3 box. The solving logic is identical to classic sudoku; only the symbols differ.

How do you play wordoku?

Fill the grid so each of the nine letters appears exactly once in every row, column, and 3×3 box — just like classic sudoku. If the puzzle marks a row or diagonal, a nine-letter word will spell out there when solved.

Is wordoku harder than sudoku?

No, the logic is exactly the same. Some people find letters slightly harder to scan than numbers at first, but a wordoku and a classic sudoku of the same design are equally difficult.

What is the hidden word in wordoku?

Many wordoku puzzles are constructed from a nine-letter word with all-different letters, which appears along a specified row or diagonal in the completed grid.