Naked Pairs and Triples: Practical Guide
By Michel ·
Sudoku a Day Blog
Naked Pairs and Naked Triples are two of the most useful mid-level Sudoku strategies. If you already know singles, these patterns help you keep moving when the grid stalls.
Quick refresher: candidates
These methods use candidate notes. If you need the basics first, start with the Sudoku strategies hub.
Naked Pairs (2 cells, same 2 candidates)
A Naked Pair appears when two cells in the same row, column, or box contain exactly the same two candidates (for example, {2,8} and {2,8}).
Because those two digits must occupy those two cells, no other cell in that unit can contain 2 or 8. Eliminate them from the rest of the unit.
Naked Triples (3 cells, 3 candidates in total)
A Naked Triple appears when three cells in one unit collectively contain exactly three digits (for example 1,4,9 across three cells). The cells may be arranged as {1,4}, {1,9}, {4,9} or similar.
Those three digits are locked into those three cells, so you can remove them from every other cell in that same unit.
How to spot them faster
- Scan units with many pencil marks first.
- Look for repeated candidate sets before trying complex chains.
- After each elimination, rescan for singles and hidden singles.
When this matters most
Look for these patterns when singles give no move in today's Sudoku. Difficulty labels do not guarantee that a pair or triple is needed. Use the daily player to choose a level and practise checking the candidate pattern.
Common mistake to avoid
Remove candidates only from a unit containing every cell of the pair or triple. If all those cells share both a row and a box, both units can be checked. Sharing a unit with just one of the selected cells is not enough.
Practice path
Try this progression:
- Start with the worked Naked Pair lesson and explain why its two cells reserve two digits.
- Compare the Naked Triple lesson: its three cells may have different candidate sets, but their combined set has exactly three digits.
- After a justified elimination, update the affected notes and check whether it reveals another move.
Want more? Browse the full strategy collection and apply these techniques to today’s puzzle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a naked pair in sudoku?
A naked pair is two cells in the same row, column, or box that each contain exactly the same two candidates — and no others. Because those two digits must go in those two cells, you can eliminate them from all other cells in that unit.
What is the difference between naked pairs and hidden pairs?
In a naked pair, two cells contain only the same two candidates. In a hidden pair, two digits can appear only in the same two cells of a unit. One or both cells may also contain extra candidates; remove those extras. Naked pairs remove their digits from other cells in the shared unit.
How do I find naked triples?
Look for three cells in a unit whose combined candidates contain exactly three digits. The cells do not each need all three digits — as long as the union of all candidates is three digits. Any of those three digits appearing elsewhere in the unit can be eliminated.