Sudoku variants

A variant changes the constraints you use to solve. Some add a rule to ordinary Sudoku; others change the grid or its regions. Choose a guide below to see what changes before trying a puzzle.

• Killer Sudoku: Combine ordinary Sudoku with cage sums.
• Thermo Sudoku: Digits increase as you move away from each bulb.
• Diagonal Sudoku (X-Sudoku): Add two more no-repeat units across the main diagonals.
• Samurai Sudoku: Solve five standard grids joined by four shared boxes.
• Mini Sudoku: 4 by 4 and 6 by 6: Learn the same constraints on a smaller grid.
• Arrow Sudoku: The digits on an arrow add up to the digit in its circle.
• Jigsaw Sudoku: Replace square boxes with nine irregular regions.

Choose a starting point

Mini Sudoku offers a smaller grid for practicing the basics. Diagonal Sudoku adds two familiar no-repeat units. Thermometers add ordering, while Killer cages and arrows introduce sums. Samurai connects several grids; Jigsaw changes region shapes.

Read the puzzle's own rules

Setters can combine variants or change a convention. Follow the stated rules and markings rather than assuming every puzzle with a familiar name works identically.

These pages are educational guides. For our playable standard game, visit daily Sudoku. For ordinary paper puzzles, choose printable Sudoku.