What is Mini Sudoku?
Mini Sudoku is a 6x6 version of Sudoku. Instead of the digits 1 to 9, you use only 1 to 6, and instead of nine 3x3 boxes the grid is split into six rectangular 2x3 boxes — two cells tall and three cells wide. Every row, every column and every box must contain the digits 1 to 6 exactly once.
Because there are far fewer cells, a Mini Sudoku is usually solved in a couple of minutes rather than fifteen. That makes it ideal for children, for anyone meeting Sudoku for the first time, and for a fast logic warm-up before tackling a full 9x9.
- The grid is 6x6 with the digits 1 to 6.
- Every row contains 1 to 6 once.
- Every column contains 1 to 6 once.
- Every 2x3 box contains 1 to 6 once.
- A good puzzle has exactly one solution and needs no guessing.
How to play Mini Sudoku
Start with the row, column or box that already has the most numbers. With only six digits, a line that is missing one or two values almost solves itself. Ask 'which of 1 to 6 is still missing here?' and you will often find a digit that has just one legal home.
When a cell could still hold more than one digit, switch on Notes and pencil in the candidates. On such a small grid the notes stay tidy, and Auto notes can fill every empty cell with its current candidates so beginners can see the logic laid out.
- Tap or click an empty cell to select it.
- Press a number button or a key from 1 to 6 to place a digit.
- Turn on Notes to write small candidate digits.
- Use Hint to reveal one correct cell when stuck.
- Use Undo or Erase to take back a move, and New game for a fresh grid.
Why Mini Sudoku is great for kids and beginners
The full 9x9 grid can feel overwhelming when you are learning. Mini Sudoku keeps every important idea — scanning rows, columns and boxes, ruling out impossible digits, finding the only place a number can go — but in a size that gives a satisfying win quickly.
Once the 6x6 feels easy, the same habits carry straight over to standard Sudoku. Many parents and teachers use Mini Sudoku as a first step precisely because the rules are identical; only the numbers and the board are smaller.
A quick solving tip: the rule of 21
Each row, column and box in Mini Sudoku contains 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, which add up to 21. That gives you a handy check: if a row already shows five numbers, subtract their total from 21 to get the missing digit instantly.
The same trick works for the 2x3 boxes. Because the boxes are wide and short, a box can sit across two rows that are nearly complete, so totalling the visible digits is often faster than scanning candidate by candidate.
Difficulty levels and why play online
Easy Mini Sudoku keeps plenty of starting digits so a new solver can fill the grid with simple scanning. Medium asks for a little candidate work, while Hard and Expert remove more clues so you rely on hidden singles and careful elimination — still gentle, but a real puzzle.
Playing online keeps everything clean: the board highlights the row, column and box of the selected cell, the timer tracks your solve, and your progress saves locally in your browser. Every grid is checked for a single solution, so a Mini Sudoku always rewards logic over luck.
- Easy: lots of givens, perfect for first-timers and children.
- Medium: a balanced quick puzzle.
- Hard: fewer clues and some candidate work.
- Expert: a minimal-clue 6x6 for confident solvers.