Emoji Sudoku

The Basics

Emoji Sudoku follows the same rules as traditional number Sudoku, but uses emoji symbols instead of digits 1-9. The board is a 9x9 grid divided into nine 3x3 boxes. Some cells are pre-filled with emoji — your job is to fill in the remaining cells so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains each of the nine emoji exactly once.

Select a difficulty level before starting. Easy puzzles have more pre-filled cells, giving you more clues to work with. Hard puzzles have fewer starting emoji, requiring advanced logic techniques. You can use the hint feature if you get stuck, and your progress is automatically saved if you leave and come back.

Techniques Worth Learning

• Naked singles: If a cell can only contain one possible emoji (all others are already in its row, column, or box), fill it in. This is the most basic technique.
• Hidden singles: If an emoji can only go in one cell within a row, column, or box (even if that cell has other candidates), it must go there.
• Scanning: Systematically scan each row and column for an emoji, checking where it can and cannot go. This often reveals placements you would miss by looking at individual cells.
• Elimination: Use pencil marks (notes) to track possible candidates for each cell. As you place emoji elsewhere, eliminate them from related cells until only one candidate remains.
• Naked pairs: If two cells in the same row, column, or box can only contain the same two emoji, those emoji can be eliminated from all other cells in that group.

Why Sudoku with Emoji?

Using emoji instead of numbers changes the mental experience of solving Sudoku. With numbers, your brain can fall into autopilot — you have been seeing digits your whole life. Emoji force you to think more visually and spatially, which can make the puzzle feel fresh even if you are a Sudoku veteran.

Sudoku is one of the best exercises for logical thinking and concentration. Studies have shown that regular puzzle-solving can help maintain cognitive sharpness and improve working memory. The emoji twist adds a layer of visual processing that further engages your brain.

Picking a Difficulty

Easy gives you around 38-45 pre-filled cells. You can solve most of these with naked singles alone — just look for cells where only one emoji fits. Great for warming up or learning the ropes.

Medium drops to about 30-37 clues. You will need hidden singles and some scanning to make progress. This is where the puzzle starts requiring real thought.

Hard gives you fewer than 30 starting emoji and may require advanced techniques like naked pairs or even trial and error. These puzzles can take 15-30 minutes even for experienced solvers.

Things People Ask

Are the rules the same as regular Sudoku? Yes, identical. Every row, column, and 3x3 box must contain each of the nine symbols exactly once. The only difference is that emoji replace the digits 1-9.

Works on phones? Yes. The game is fully responsive and works on any mobile browser. Tap a cell to select it, then tap an emoji from the palette to place it.

Does Sudoku actually help your brain? Research suggests that regular puzzle-solving can help maintain cognitive sharpness and improve working memory. Sudoku specifically exercises logical reasoning and pattern recognition.

Sudoku Resources