Click (or tap) a cell, then pick your number from the ring that opens around it — handy without using the keypad below!
Fill the grid with the numbers 1 to 8.
Every row, column and 2×4 rectangle must contain each number only once!
- ✏ Notes — pencil in possible numbers in a cell without committing. You can also switch it on with the Space key or a right-click on a cell you can fill (on mobile: a long press).
- ✕ Erase — clears a cell's number.
- ↩ Undo — reverts your last move.
- 🆘 Help — animates the grid to show you where a number goes.
- ⊙ Ring — a circle of numbers opens around the cell for faster play (tap the ⓘ right next to it to see how).
Hard kids sudoku: 8×8, the last step before classic sudoku
8×8 sudoku — our hard kids sudoku — is an original variant, built with rectangular 2×4 boxes instead of squares. You place the numbers 1 to 8, following the same rules as classic sudoku: every row, every column, and every box must contain each number exactly once.
It's the perfect middle ground between Junior Sudoku 6×6 and 9×9 sudoku: the grid is almost as demanding as the classic version, but stays quicker to solve. Notes mode becomes a real asset here for spotting possible candidates in each cell. Stuck? The 🆘 Help button animates the grid to show the way forward — see how this animated help works on the blog.
Why play 8×8 sudoku?
- Complexity close to 9×9 — but with shorter games.
- Great practice for notes mode — useful for the classic sudoku ahead.
- An original variant — rarely found elsewhere, with its 2×4 boxes.
- 3 difficulty levels — easy, medium, hard, to progress at your own pace.
What age is 8×8 sudoku for?
8×8 is aimed at children around 8-9 years old who are already comfortable with 6×6 sudoku, or at slightly older beginners who want to move up to classic sudoku quickly without going through every stage. The grid stays approachable on easy mode, but with 8 possible candidates per cell it already calls for real use of notes mode — it is less a grid "to start on" than a grid "to progress on".
What 8×8 adds: pencil marks become essential
With two more numbers than 6×6, a child can barely manage without notes mode: holding 8 candidates in mind for every cell quickly exceeds working memory, even for an adult. So 8×8 naturally pushes toward a more rigorous method — note, eliminate, cross-check — which is exactly the method needed on the 81 cells of a 9×9 sudoku. It makes an excellent training ground before the big jump.
Helping your child on 8×8
By this stage children are often fairly independent, and a parent's role shifts to encouraging the method rather than checking the result — making sure the notes are kept up to date rather than validating every number placed. The 🆘 Help button is still there for a real dead end, and as on the other grids there is no timer pushing them along — but closing or reloading the page starts a fresh grid, so it's best to leave the tab open during a break.
For the full method, step by step with diagrams, see the article how to solve an 8×8 sudoku.
Frequently asked questions
Is 8×8 sudoku real sudoku?
Yes, the same rules apply: every row, column, and box must contain each number exactly once. The only difference is that the boxes are 2×4 rectangles instead of the 3×3 squares of classic sudoku.
Is notes mode essential in 8×8?
Not on easy, but strongly recommended from medium or hard: it lets you jot down possible candidates in each cell, just like experienced players do on paper.
How long does it take to solve an 8×8 grid?
A few minutes on easy, a bit more on hard depending on experience. It's faster than a classic 9×9 grid, making it a good daily workout.
After 8×8 sudoku, what's next?
Classic 9×9 sudoku — as a random grid or the daily puzzle, so you can compare your time with previous games.
Can you jump straight to 8×8 without doing 4×4 or 6×6?
Yes, as long as notes mode is understood. The rules are identical; what changes is the number of candidates to track. A beginner who has never played sudoku will find 6×6 a gentler entry point, but an older child or an adult can start here without difficulty.
Is there a printable 8×8 sudoku?
Yes. The kids printable page offers 8×8 grids (2 per page) at 3 levels, with answer keys at the end if you want them. For teachers, the Sudoku in the classroom page offers a sample lesson.