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Variant Sudoku
Sudoku with a twist. A new one every day.
Free variant sudoku, every day
Variant Sudoku is a free place to play sudoku with a twist. Every puzzle keeps the classic rules (1 to 9 once in each row, column and box) and adds one more: cages that sum, thermometers that climb, lines whose neighbors must differ by 5, dots between cells. The extra rule is what you solve with, so a variant feels like a new puzzle even if you have played thousands of sudokus.
Each day brings a classic sudoku and a variant, the same puzzle for everyone, with a streak to keep. Between dailies you can set yourself a fresh puzzle of any variant at five levels, or browse more than 2,600 hand-set puzzles from the setters behind Cracking the Cryptic and Logic Masters.
Pick a variant
Each one opens a fresh puzzle at the level you choose, set so the rule matters from the start.
Classic Sudoku1 to 9 in every row, column and boxKiller SudokuCages that add upThermo SudokuDigits climb from the bulbArrow SudokuThe arrow sums to its circleKropki SudokuWhite dots, black dotsXV SudokuX is 10, V is 5Sandwich SudokuSum between the 1 and the 9German Whispers SudokuNeighbors differ by 5 or moreDiagonal SudokuBoth diagonals hold 1 to 9Anti-Knight SudokuNo repeat a knight's move apartAnti-King SudokuTouching cells never repeat
Cheat sheets
Quick references for the rules, each on its variant's page: every killer cage combination, every sandwich total, the range of every thermometer cell, and more.
Why play here
One solution, all logic
Every puzzle we set is proved to have exactly one solution, and our solver finishes it without guessing. Difficulty comes from the hardest step the solve needs, not from how many digits are given.
Hints that teach
Stuck? A hint first names the technique, then points at the houses, then shows the pattern, and only then makes the move. Each technique links to a lesson.
Pencil marks done right
Corner and center marks, colors, a pen for lines, unlimited undo, and keyboard shortcuts for every tool. It works the same on a phone, a tablet and a desktop.
Play any SudokuPad link
Paste an f-puzzles or SudokuPad link and the puzzle opens with its cages, lines and rules. Your games and streak sync across your devices without an email address.
Hand-set puzzles from top setters
Explore lists 2,890 puzzles by 669 setters, from Logic Masters and Cracking the Cryptic videos, with credit and links back to each setter. Some of the most prolific:
Learn the rules
Short lessons with animated examples for every rule, plus solving techniques from pointing pairs to chains.
- Classic sudoku
- Sudoku pencil marks
- Killer sudoku
- XV sudoku
- Kropki sudoku
- Thermo sudoku
- Arrow sudoku
- German whispers
- Renban lines
- Palindrome lines
- Dutch whispers
- Entropic lines
- Parity lines
- Region sum lines
- Between lines
- Anti-knight sudoku
- Anti-king sudoku
- Non-consecutive sudoku
- Diagonal sudoku
- Sandwich sudoku
- Little killer sudoku
- X-sums sudoku
- Fog of war sudoku
- Quadruples
- Extra regions sudoku
- Odd-even sudoku
Questions
What is variant sudoku?
A sudoku with one or more extra rules on top of the classic ones. Killer sudoku adds cages with sums, thermo sudoku adds thermometers whose digits increase, German whispers add lines where neighbors differ by at least 5. The extra rules usually mean fewer given digits.
Is Variant Sudoku free?
Yes. Every puzzle, the dailies, hints and the lessons are free, with no sign-up. You can link your devices with a short code if you want your games and streak to follow you.
Is there a new puzzle every day?
Yes, two: a classic sudoku and a variant. Everyone gets the same pair, and past days stay playable in the archive.
How hard are the puzzles?
Our own puzzles come in five levels from Easy (singles only) to Fiendish (chains and coloring). Hand-set puzzles in Explore show the setter's or the community's rating.
Can I play puzzles from Cracking the Cryptic or SudokuPad?
Yes. Explore lists thousands of hand-set puzzles with credit and links to each setter, and you can paste any SudokuPad or f-puzzles link to play it here.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. The site is built for touch and works offline once loaded. You can add it to your home screen like an app.