What makes Expert so tough?
Expert gives you the smallest number of starting digits we use anywhere on the site, and the smallest set of signs. That combination means the signs are doing almost all the work for the first half of the puzzle, and you will need to hold a lot of information at once — in your head, or better, in Notes.
But every Expert puzzle here still has exactly one answer, and you can still find it without guessing. Use logic, take breaks and trust your notes.
If Expert feels overwhelming, that is normal — plenty of adults find it tough. Spend a few weeks at Hard Greater Than Sudoku first; the techniques are exactly the same, just with a couple more starting numbers to lean on.
Techniques worth memorising
- ⛓️ The chain squeeze on every run of signs — apply it before you do anything else
- 🔢 Naked pairs and naked triples in rows, columns and boxes
- 🔄 Clamping from both sides when a square has a filled neighbour above and below it
- 9️⃣ Sweep for squares that can never be 9, and squares that can never be 1
- 🎯 Hidden singles: a digit that can only fit in one square of a row, column or box
Expert solving routine
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Auto Notes first
Tap it the moment the puzzle loads. You will see every candidate at a glance, with the sign rules and chain squeeze already applied.
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Squeeze every chain
Walk each run of signs end to end and erase any candidate that is out of range. This is the highest-value habit on Expert.
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Place from the ends
The two ends of a chain often have just one possible value left. Solve those first and the middle usually falls right after.
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Hunt naked pairs and triples
After Auto Notes, look for two squares in the same region with exactly the same two candidates — those numbers are locked there.
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Place, repeat, win
Every placement narrows things down everywhere else. Keep going until the board is full!
When you have mastered Expert
Once Expert Greater Than Sudoku feels comfortable, try our toughest Expert 9×9 sudoku. It is a different kind of challenge — no signs, pure row, column and box logic — but the same long-thinking patience pays off.
Or take on Thermo Sudoku, where whole thermometers replace single signs, Skyscraper Sudoku, where the clues sit outside the grid, Hyper Sudoku for four extra mini-boxes, Killer Sudoku for cage sums, or Jigsaw Sudoku for wiggly regions instead of 3×3 boxes. Very different puzzles, all built on the same "one of each in every region" idea.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an Expert Greater Than Sudoku take?
Most kids who can solve Expert finish in 20 to 40 minutes. Some take more than an hour — that is completely normal, and there is no time limit.
Can I really solve Expert without guessing?
Yes! Every puzzle on this site has exactly one solution and was checked by computer before it appeared. If a guess turns out wrong, just tap Undo.
What if I am really stuck?
Tap the Hint button — it fills in one correct square so you can keep going. Hints count in your stats, but they are there to help.
Is there anything harder than Expert Greater Than Sudoku?
On this site, Expert is the toughest inequality puzzle. Some grown-up sites offer "Extreme" or "Diabolical" levels, but those are designed for adult puzzle-club regulars rather than kids.
Try other sudoku games
Different rules, same friendly board. Pick a sibling puzzle to play next.