Get Sudoku Hints Step-by-Step
Our interactive NYT Sudoku board offers multiple levels of help. To get the most out of it without spoiling the puzzle, follow these steps from the gentlest hint to the full solution.
- Step 1. Choose Your Puzzle Difficulty
First, click to expand the accordion for the difficulty you are playing: Easy, Medium, or Hard.
- Step 2. Select Your Hint TypeThis is the most important step! Inside the accordion, you'll find the "Choose Your Hint Type" selector. Choose how you want the board to respond when you tap it:
- [•] Show Candidate Hints (Default): This is the best place to start. Tap any empty cell to see a pop-up of all possible numbers that could legally go in that square. It helps you practice logic without giving away the answer.
- [ ] Reveal Single Cell Answer: When you're stuck on a specific square, switch to this type. Tapping an empty cell will instantly reveal its correct number.
- [ ] Reveal 3x3 Block Answers: If you need more significant help, use this type. Tapping any cell will reveal all the correct answers in its entire 3x3 region.
- Step 3. Reveal the Full Answer
If you want to check your final work or see the complete solution, click the [Reveal Answer] button at the bottom right. This will fill in all the remaining numbers on the board.
FAQ
What can NYT Sudoku Hints do?
You can choose your puzzle difficulty (Easy, Medium, Hard) and use our interactive board with three different hint types: showing candidates, revealing single cells, or solving entire 3x3 blocks.
When do NYT Sudoku Hints update?
Hints are updated daily, syncing with the official New York Times Sudoku. Updates typically occur after 10 PM ET on weekdays and 6 PM ET on weekends.
What are 'Candidate Hints'?
Candidates are all the possible numbers (1-9) that can legally fit into a single empty cell, based on the numbers already present in its row, column, and 3x3 block. Using candidate hints is a core Sudoku strategy to logically deduce the correct answer.
Is there a cost for these tools?
No, all our Sudoku hints and tools are completely free. They were created by fellow puzzle fans to help you learn and improve your solving skills.
Can I access past Sudoku puzzles?
Yes! Use the "Find Archived Hints" section to explore and practice with puzzles from previous days. Our archives currently cover the past year.
Will using hints help me get better at Sudoku?
Absolutely. Sudoku is a game of logic and pattern recognition. Using tools like 'Candidate Hints' helps you train your brain to spot these patterns more easily, making you a faster and more confident solver over time.
Are these hints official from The New York Times?
No, our interactive solver and hints are independently created by our team. We design them as a practice and learning tool to complement the official NYT puzzle.
What if I find an error or have a suggestion?
We welcome your feedback! If you spot an error or have an idea for improvement, please use the "Feedback" link in the footer. Your input helps us make this site better for everyone.