Easy Mini Sudoku (4×4)

A compact 4×4 grid using digits 1–4. Each row, column, and 2×2 box must contain every digit once. Quick to solve, satisfying to master. Free online.

Easy Medium Hard Expert

New to Sudoku? Mini Sudoku uses a 4×4 grid with digits 1–4. Fill each row, column, and 2×2 box. The perfect starting point.

4
3
2
2
1
4
3
4
3
2
2
4
Mistakes
0/3
Score
-
Time
00:00
Try Medium Mini Sudoku →
Progress0%

What is Mini Sudoku?

Difficulty
★☆☆☆☆
1/5
Constraint Type
Smaller Grid
Typical Givens
4–8
Avg. Solve (Easy)
1 min

Solving Techniques for Easy Level

Technique Description Level
Direct Scanning With only 16 cells and digits 1–4, scan each row, column, and 2×2 box for missing digits. Most easy puzzles resolve in a single pass. Beginner
Single Candidate If only one cell in a row, column, or box can hold a particular digit, place it immediately. Beginner
Box–Row/Column Interaction Each 2×2 box shares all four cells with exactly two rows and two columns. Every box placement simultaneously restricts two full rows and two full columns. Beginner

Ready to go deeper? Try Medium Mini Sudoku to unlock Intermediate techniques.

Techniques to Master at Easy

  • Last Free Cell technique — With only four cells per unit, the last free cell appears every few moves — most easy 4×4 grids fall to this single technique applied row by row.
  • Last Remaining Cell technique — Each 2×2 box shares cells with two rows and two columns, so a digit placed anywhere blocks half the grid — its last legal cell is rarely more than one scan away.

Average Solve Time by Difficulty

Easy
1 min
Medium
2 min
Hard
4 min
Expert
6 min
Want a full walkthrough of rules, strategies, and solving steps? How to Play Mini Sudoku →

Related Variants

Alphabet Sudoku

Another gentle twist on the classic — full 9×9 logic with letters A–I standing in for digits.

Consecutive Sudoku

A friendly first marked variant: bars between cells flag consecutive neighbours, and absence of a bar is a clue too.

Kropki Sudoku

When 4×4 grids feel quick, kropki dots add relationship clues that keep beginner-level deduction interesting.

Frequently Asked Questions — Easy Mini Sudoku

What is Mini Sudoku?
Mini Sudoku is a smaller version of classic Sudoku played on a 4×4 grid. Instead of the digits 1–9, you use only 1, 2, 3, and 4. Every row, every column, and every 2×2 box must contain each of those four digits exactly once. It is a perfect introduction to Sudoku logic for beginners.
How many cells does a 4×4 Mini Sudoku have?
A Mini Sudoku grid has 16 cells arranged in 4 rows and 4 columns. The grid is divided into four 2×2 boxes — one in each corner. Each box, row, and column must hold the digits 1, 2, 3, and 4 with no repeats.
What digits do I use in Mini Sudoku?
Mini Sudoku uses only the digits 1, 2, 3, and 4 — not 1–9. This makes the puzzle quick to solve and easy to learn. With only four possible values per cell, even beginners can find placements by simple elimination.
How do I solve an easy Mini Sudoku?
Start by looking at each row and column to see which of the four digits are already placed. The missing one or two digits go into the empty cells. Then check each 2×2 box. Because the grid is small, a single scan of rows, columns, and boxes is usually enough to complete an easy puzzle.
How long does an easy Mini Sudoku take to solve?
Most players finish an easy Mini Sudoku in under two minutes. It is designed as a quick puzzle — ideal for a mental warm-up or for introducing children and complete beginners to Sudoku logic without overwhelming them.

More questions? See the full Mini Sudoku guide.