Between Lines Sudoku
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How to play Between Lines Sudoku
Standard Sudoku rules apply. Each line has two circle endpoints. All digits along the line (excluding the circles) must be strictly between the two endpoint values.
Full guide →
Digits on a line must fall strictly between the two endpoint values
Easy
Between Lines Sudoku Easy
Medium
Between Lines Sudoku Medium
Hard
Between Lines Sudoku Hard
Expert
Between Lines Sudoku Expert
What is Between Lines Sudoku?
Between Lines Sudoku draws lines with circular endpoints. Every digit along the line (excluding the endpoints themselves) must be strictly greater than the smaller endpoint and strictly less than the larger endpoint. If the endpoints are 2 and 8, every middle cell on the line must be one of 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. The closer the endpoints are in value, the more constrained the middle cells.
At a Glance
| Constraint type | Line Constraints |
| Typical givens | 20–28 |
| Difficulty rating | ★★★☆☆ 3/5 |
| Avg. solve time — Easy | 8 min |
| Avg. solve time — Medium | 18 min |
| Avg. solve time — Hard | 36 min |
| Avg. solve time — Expert | 64 min |
How to Solve Between Lines Sudoku
| Technique | What it does | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Endpoint Gap Analysis | The gap between endpoint values must be large enough to accommodate all middle cells. If endpoints are 2 and 8, middle cells must come from {3,4,5,6,7}. | Beginner |
| Endpoint Ordering | The endpoint values have no fixed order — the constraint is that all middle cells are strictly between the minimum and maximum endpoint. | Beginner |
| Tight Endpoint Constraint | If endpoints would be consecutive (e.g., 3 and 4), no middle cell could satisfy the strict inequalities — use this to force endpoints apart. | Intermediate |
| Between-Line–Box Interaction | All middle cells sharing a box must satisfy the between constraint. Use the box to eliminate candidates outside the valid range. | Advanced |
Average Solve Times
Easy
8 min
Medium
18 min
Hard
36 min
Expert
64 min
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Between Lines Sudoku?
Between Lines Sudoku is a variant where lines with circular endpoints are drawn on the grid. Every digit along a line (excluding the endpoint circles) must be strictly between the two endpoint values. The endpoints themselves are placed during solving — only the line positions are given.
How do I read the between-line clues?
The two circles at the ends of each line are the boundary values. Every cell between them must be strictly greater than the smaller endpoint and strictly less than the larger one. You deduce which endpoint is larger as part of the solve.
Can the endpoints be any digits?
Yes. Endpoint circles are not pre-filled — you place digits in them during solving. The only rule is that every cell along the line (excluding endpoints) must sit strictly between whatever ends up in the two circles.
What is the best strategy for Between Lines Sudoku?
Look for short between-lines — a single cell between two endpoints is tightly constrained. Combined with row, column, and box rules, the valid range for that cell is often very small. Also look for lines where available candidates in a given row or column form a narrow range.
Is Between Lines Sudoku hard to learn?
The concept is straightforward but the deductions require careful range analysis. Tracking the minimum and maximum possible values for each endpoint and inferring the valid range for in-between cells is the core skill. Easy puzzles make this very accessible.
How long does Between Lines Sudoku take to solve?
Easy puzzles take 8–18 minutes. Medium puzzles run 18–35 minutes. Hard puzzles average 35–65 minutes and expert puzzles can take over 90 minutes. Solve time scales with the number of overlapping lines and the complexity of range interactions.