Alphabet Sudoku
Uses letters instead of numbers — and often spells a word in one row
Easy
Alphabet Sudoku Easy
Medium
Alphabet Sudoku Medium
Hard
Alphabet Sudoku Hard
Expert
Alphabet Sudoku Expert
What is Alphabet Sudoku?
Alphabet Sudoku (also called Word Sudoku or Letter Sudoku) uses a set of nine letters instead of digits 1–9. The rules are otherwise identical. Many Word Sudoku puzzles are designed so that a specific row, column, or diagonal spells out a word or name once solved. This makes the variant popular in newspapers and as a word-game crossover.
At a Glance
| Constraint type | Letter Substitution |
| Typical givens | 24–32 |
| Difficulty rating | ★★☆☆☆ 2/5 |
| Avg. solve time — Easy | 5 min |
| Avg. solve time — Medium | 12 min |
| Avg. solve time — Hard | 25 min |
| Avg. solve time — Expert | 45 min |
How to Solve Alphabet Sudoku
| Technique | What it does | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Same Logic, Different Symbols | Every classic Sudoku technique applies — just with letters A–I instead of 1–9. Scanning, naked singles, and box interactions all work identically. | Beginner |
| Letter-to-Number Mapping | Internally, A=1, B=2, …, I=9. If numbers are more comfortable, mentally map each letter to its digit while solving. | Beginner |
| Word Spotting | Some Alphabet Sudoku puzzles are designed so a completed row or diagonal spells a recognisable word — identifying the target word can provide placement hints. | Intermediate |
Average Solve Times
Easy
5 min
Medium
12 min
Hard
25 min
Expert
45 min
Frequently Asked Questions
Which letters are used?
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and I — the first nine letters of the alphabet, mapping to 1–9.
Is Alphabet Sudoku harder than Classic?
No — the difficulty is identical. Only the symbols change.
Can I type numbers instead of letters?
Yes — pressing 1–9 on the keyboard also works on our site.