Sudoku solving technique · Intermediate
Naked Pair
Two cells with the same two candidates lock those digits for their unit.
What is a Naked Pair?
When two cells in the same row, column, or block contain the exact same two candidates and nothing else, those two numbers are "locked" into those cells. You can remove them from all other cells in that shared unit.
How to spot a Naked Pair
Look in your notes for two cells in a row, column or block that hold exactly the same two candidates and nothing else, for example 1 and 2 twice. Then check the other cells of that unit: both digits can be removed from them. If the two cells share a row and a block, this works in both units.
- Difficulty
- In Sudoku Pro, this technique belongs to the Intermediate level.
- Learning path
- Technique 3 of 20 on the learning path
An example from the app
| Pattern (purple). Candidates 1, 2 | Pattern (purple). Candidates 1, 2 | Affected cell (orange). Candidates 3. Eliminated 1 | Given 4 |
| Given 3 | Given 4 | Empty | Given 2 |
| Empty | Empty | Given 4 | Empty |
| Given 4 | Given 3 | Given 2 | Empty |
Small digits are candidates. Crossed-out digits can be removed in this step.
- Pattern (purple)
- Affected cell (orange)