Hard Little Killer Sudoku

Clues outside the grid give diagonal sums — digits may repeat along the arrow. Combine diagonal enumeration with classic Sudoku logic. Free online.

Hard Little Killer Sudoku. Fewer givens, tighter diagonals — expect multi-step deductions and extensive pencil-mark work.

9
1
7
8
2
4
9
8
6
4
5
7
1
7
3
1
6
4
3
2
3
5
9
6
1
7
3
Diagonal Clues
↘ from (1,1): 38 (9 cells)
↘ from (1,2): 37 (8 cells)
↘ from (1,3): 40 (7 cells)
↘ from (1,4): 32 (6 cells)
↘ from (1,5): 23 (5 cells)
↘ from (1,6): 20 (4 cells)
↘ from (1,7): 12 (3 cells)
↘ from (1,8): 10 (2 cells)
↘ from (2,1): 47 (8 cells)
↘ from (3,1): 31 (7 cells)
↘ from (4,1): 34 (6 cells)
↘ from (5,1): 24 (5 cells)
↘ from (6,1): 26 (4 cells)
↘ from (7,1): 8 (3 cells)
↘ from (8,1): 10 (2 cells)
↙ from (1,2): 16 (2 cells)
↙ from (1,3): 12 (3 cells)
↙ from (1,4): 15 (4 cells)
↙ from (1,5): 23 (5 cells)
↙ from (1,6): 35 (6 cells)
↙ from (1,7): 24 (7 cells)
↙ from (1,8): 49 (8 cells)
↙ from (1,9): 50 (9 cells)
↙ from (2,9): 46 (8 cells)
↙ from (3,9): 20 (7 cells)
↙ from (4,9): 26 (6 cells)
↙ from (5,9): 35 (5 cells)
↙ from (6,9): 20 (4 cells)
↙ from (7,9): 17 (3 cells)
↙ from (8,9): 9 (2 cells)
Mistakes
0/3
Score
-
Time
00:00
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Progress0%

What is Little Killer Sudoku?

Difficulty
★★★★☆
4/5
Constraint Type
Outside Clues
Typical Givens
0–6 given digits
Avg. Solve (Hard)
55 min

Solving Techniques for Hard Level

Technique Description Level
Diagonal Enumeration For each clue, enumerate all combinations of N digits (allowing repeats, 1–9) that sum to the clue value. Beginner
Repeating Digits Allowed Unlike Killer cages, Little Killer diagonals can repeat digits as long as standard row/column/box uniqueness is preserved. Beginner
Short Diagonal Logic A 1-cell diagonal directly gives that cell's digit. A 2-cell diagonal with clue C has limited pairs — enumerate them immediately. Intermediate
Cross-Diagonal Intersection When two diagonals share a cell, the shared cell must satisfy both sum constraints simultaneously. Advanced
Row/Column Interaction A diagonal cell belongs to a row, column, and box — combine Little Killer sum constraints with standard uniqueness rules. Intermediate

Ready for the ultimate test? Try Expert Little Killer Sudoku — the hardest puzzles on Sudoku.by.

Average Solve Time by Difficulty

Easy
14 min
Medium
28 min
Hard
55 min
Expert
88 min
Want a full walkthrough of rules, strategies, and solving steps? How to Play Little Killer Sudoku →

Frequently Asked Questions — Hard Little Killer Sudoku

What makes hard Little Killer Sudoku so difficult?
Hard puzzles have fewer given digits inside the grid and longer diagonals with more possible combinations. You need to track multiple competing hypotheses at once, use pencil marks extensively, and apply advanced logic like hidden pairs, X-Wings, and multi-step elimination chains.
How do cross-diagonal intersections work at hard level?
At hard difficulty, several diagonals often cross the same cell or adjacent cells, creating a web of constraints. Solving requires holding multiple diagonal constraints in mind at once and updating your possibilities every time you place a digit anywhere on the board.
Should I use pencil marks for hard Little Killer Sudoku?
Absolutely. Hard puzzles cannot be solved reliably without pencil marks. Write the possible digits for each cell and eliminate them as you progress. Without notes, you'll lose track of the interactions between diagonal sums and standard uniqueness rules.
What is the hardest type of deduction in hard Little Killer Sudoku?
The trickiest deductions involve a diagonal where every valid combination shares one digit in a specific position. This is called a 'forced digit' and it's easy to miss. Spotting these requires enumerating all combinations for the diagonal, not just the obvious ones.
How long does a hard Little Killer Sudoku take to solve?
Expect 30–60 minutes for hard puzzles. Experienced solvers familiar with the variant can finish in 20–35 minutes. If you're stuck, check whether any diagonal has only one valid combination remaining given current constraints.

More questions? See the full Little Killer Sudoku guide.