X Sudoku 6×6 Medium — Set 85
Solver Notes
A 6x6 X-Sudoku at Medium. The diagonal constraint starts requiring active use alongside row and column elimination. 5-8 minutes typical.
X-Sudoku — Free Online & Printable
X-Sudoku adds a diagonal constraint to the classic sudoku rules. Both main diagonals — running from top-left to bottom-right and from top-right to bottom-left — must each contain the numbers 1 through 9 without repetition. This is the most accessible sudoku variant: the two extra constraints actually make many cells easier to deduce, since numbers on the diagonals are additionally restricted. If you''ve mastered standard sudoku and want a fresh twist without learning complex new rules, X-Sudoku (also called Diagonal Sudoku) is the ideal starting point.
About 6x6 Grid
The 6x6 grid strikes a balance between accessibility and depth. With 36 cells in 2x3 boxes, puzzles take 3 to 10 minutes depending on difficulty. The 6x6 is large enough to showcase variant rules meaningfully — Killer cages have room to create genuine arithmetic puzzles, Windoku windows overlap in interesting ways — while remaining completable in a single sitting. Many players find the 6x6 their "daily driver" format: challenging enough to be satisfying, short enough to fit into a break.
Medium Difficulty
Medium difficulty requires applying variant rules in combination with standard techniques. You''ll need hidden singles (where a number can only go in one cell within a region, even if multiple numbers are possible for that cell) and basic elimination chains. For Killer Medium, expect some cage combinations where two or more possible sets remain and must be narrowed by row/column logic. Average time: 10-20 minutes for 9x9. Candidate notation is helpful but not essential.
How to Get Started
- Choose "New Puzzle" to generate a fresh puzzle with a unique solution
- Click or tap cells to enter numbers (1-6 for 6x6)
- Use the constraint highlights to track which numbers are still available
- Print the puzzle if you prefer solving on paper