NYT Sudoku Game - Play Unlimited

NYT Sudoku is a daily numbers puzzle game for playing easy, medium, and hard boards, plus unlimited new games whenever you want another challenge. The mechanic is simple: select a square, place digits 1 through 9, use candidate notes when you are unsure, and solve the grid by making every row, column, and 3x3 box complete.

How it works

How to Play NYT Sudoku

Start by choosing an empty square on the 9x9 grid. Add a number only when it fits the row, column, and 3x3 box, or switch to Candidate mode to mark possible answers while you think through the puzzle.

Select a blank cell and read the highlighted row, column, and box.
Use notes for possible numbers before placing your final answer.
Complete the board so every row, column, and box contains 1 to 9.

NYT Sudoku game board with number controls and difficulty buttons

The orange square is selected. The soft highlight shows the row, column, and 3x3 box to check before placing a number.

FAQ

What is NYT Sudoku?

NYT Sudoku is a daily numbers puzzle built around the classic 9x9 Sudoku format, with easy, medium, and hard games available from the archive.

How does the game work?

Choose an empty cell, enter a number from 1 to 9, and complete every row, column, and 3x3 box without repeating a number. Candidate mode lets you mark possible numbers before committing.

Can I play unlimited Sudoku games?

Yes. The daily games come from the downloaded archive, and the New Game button creates a fresh puzzle with its own shareable gameId URL.

What is Auto Candidate Mode in NYT Sudoku?

Auto Candidate Mode fills possible notes for empty cells based on the current board. As you place numbers, the candidate notes update so you can focus on solving.

What is the average time for NYT Sudoku easy, medium, and hard?

Solve times vary by player, but easy puzzles often take about 5 to 10 minutes, medium puzzles about 10 to 20 minutes, and hard puzzles can take 20 minutes or more.

Can I play yesterday's NYT Sudoku and is there an archive?

Yes. You can play yesterday's puzzle and recent daily puzzles from the NYT Sudoku archive with easy, medium, and hard links for each date.

Do you have to guess in NYT Sudoku?

No. A well-made Sudoku puzzle can be solved with logic. Candidate notes, row scans, column checks, and 3x3 box checks should guide each move.

Is it free to play NYT Sudoku?

Yes. You can play the daily archive and unlimited generated Sudoku games here for free.

How does NYT Sudoku difficulty work?

Easy puzzles usually have more given numbers and simpler logic. Medium puzzles need more scanning and notes, while hard puzzles require deeper candidate work.

Can I reset the timer in NYT Sudoku?

The timer starts fresh whenever you load a puzzle or start a New Game. To reset the same board, reload the same date and difficulty.

Disclaimer: This site is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by The New York Times.