2026-01-05
Puzzle guide
Full breakdown using the Analytical breakdown format — cell-by-cell fills, technique labels, and strategy notes.
Overview
Mini Sudoku Level 5 is part of our exclusive Mini Sudoku level track. Mini Sudoku is LinkedIn's compact sudoku variant: fill a 6×6 grid so every row, column, and irregular region contains the digits 1 through 6 exactly once. This page includes the live board, a solved-board view, and a step-by-step Solution walkthrough. Difficulty: Easy. Estimated solve time: 3–5 min. Read the explainer sections below for strategy, or jump straight into play.
Answer
This 6×6 Mini Sudoku starts with 18 given digits and fills 18 remaining cells. Layout: 6 regions, 6 cells each.
R2C1=4, R1C3=6, R3C1=1, R3C2=4, R3C5=2, R1C5=1, R1C4=2, R1C6=4, R3C6=6, R4C3=2, R4C5=3, R5C2=1, R5C3=5, R5C6=2, R6C2=3, R6C3=4, R6C4=1, R6C6=5
Analysis
Mini Sudoku Level 5 is a 6×6 Mini Sudoku with 18 givens, 6 regions, 6 cells each, and 18 cells to deduce. Technique mix: 18× Naked single. Every row, column, and shaded region must hold digits 1–6 exactly once.
Board spotlight: Most fills come from scanning rows and columns for cells where only one digit fits — classic naked-single territory. Region geometry (6 regions, 6 cells each) shapes which unit yields the next hidden single.
Batch 1: placements R2C1=4, R1C3=6, R3C1=1, R3C2=4. Techniques observed: Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single. R2C1 — Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 2 and region 1; 2 is already in row 2 and column 1 and region 1; 3 is already in row 2 and column 1 and region 1; 5 is already in row 2 and column 1 and region 1; 6 is already in row 2 and column 1. R1C3 — Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in column 3 and region 1; 2 is already in region 1; 3 is already in row 1 and column 3 and region 1; 4 is already in region 1; 5 is already in row 1 and region 1. R3C1 — Only 1 fits here — 2 is already in column 1; 3 is already in row 3 and column 1 and region 3; 4 is already in column 1; 5 is already in row 3 and column 1 and region 3; 6 is already in column 1 and region 3. R3C2 — Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 3 and region 3; 2 is already in column 2; 3 is already in row 3 and region 3; 5 is already in row 3 and column 2 and region 3; 6 is already in column 2 and region 3.
Batch 2: placements R3C5=2, R1C5=1, R1C4=2, R1C6=4. Techniques observed: Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single. R3C5 — Only 2 fits here — 1 is already in row 3 and region 4; 3 is already in row 3; 4 is already in row 3 and column 5 and region 4; 5 is already in row 3 and column 5 and region 4; 6 is already in column 5. R1C5 — Only 1 fits here — 2 is already in column 5; 3 is already in row 1 and region 2; 4 is already in column 5; 5 is already in row 1 and column 5 and region 2; 6 is already in row 1 and column 5 and region 2. R1C4 — Only 2 fits here — 1 is already in row 1 and region 2; 3 is already in row 1 and column 4 and region 2; 4 is already in column 4; 5 is already in row 1 and column 4 and region 2; 6 is already in row 1 and column 4 and region 2. R1C6 — Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 1 and column 6 and region 2; 2 is already in row 1 and region 2; 3 is already in row 1 and column 6 and region 2; 5 is already in row 1 and region 2; 6 is already in row 1 and region 2.
Batch 3: placements R3C6=6, R4C3=2, R4C5=3, R5C2=1. Techniques observed: Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single. R3C6 — Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in row 3 and column 6 and region 4; 2 is already in row 3 and region 4; 3 is already in row 3 and column 6; 4 is already in row 3 and column 6 and region 4; 5 is already in row 3 and region 4. R4C3 — Only 2 fits here — 1 is already in row 4 and column 3 and region 3; 3 is already in column 3 and region 3; 4 is already in row 4 and region 3; 5 is already in row 4 and region 3; 6 is already in row 4 and column 3 and region 3. R4C5 — Only 3 fits here — 1 is already in row 4 and column 5 and region 4; 2 is already in row 4 and column 5 and region 4; 4 is already in row 4 and column 5 and region 4; 5 is already in row 4 and column 5 and region 4; 6 is already in row 4 and column 5 and region 4. R5C2 — Only 1 fits here — 2 is already in column 2 and region 5; 3 is already in row 5; 4 is already in row 5 and column 2; 5 is already in column 2; 6 is already in row 5 and column 2 and region 5.
Batch 4: placements R5C3=5, R5C6=2, R6C2=3, R6C3=4. Techniques observed: Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single. R5C3 — Only 5 fits here — 1 is already in row 5 and column 3 and region 5; 2 is already in column 3 and region 5; 3 is already in row 5 and column 3; 4 is already in row 5; 6 is already in row 5 and column 3 and region 5. R5C6 — Only 2 fits here — 1 is already in row 5 and column 6; 3 is already in row 5 and column 6 and region 6; 4 is already in row 5 and column 6 and region 6; 5 is already in row 5; 6 is already in row 5 and column 6 and region 6. R6C2 — Only 3 fits here — 1 is already in column 2 and region 5; 2 is already in row 6 and column 2 and region 5; 4 is already in column 2; 5 is already in column 2 and region 5; 6 is already in row 6 and column 2 and region 5. R6C3 — Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in column 3 and region 5; 2 is already in row 6 and column 3 and region 5; 3 is already in row 6 and column 3 and region 5; 5 is already in column 3 and region 5; 6 is already in row 6 and column 3 and region 5.
Batch 5: placements R6C4=1, R6C6=5. Techniques observed: Naked single, Naked single. R6C4 — Only 1 fits here — 2 is already in row 6 and column 4 and region 6; 3 is already in row 6 and column 4 and region 6; 4 is already in row 6 and column 4 and region 6; 5 is already in column 4; 6 is already in row 6 and column 4 and region 6. R6C6 — Only 5 fits here — 1 is already in row 6 and column 6 and region 6; 2 is already in row 6 and column 6 and region 6; 3 is already in row 6 and column 6 and region 6; 4 is already in row 6 and column 6 and region 6; 6 is already in row 6 and column 6 and region 6.
Mid-solve checkpoint: 9 cells remain after the first half of the chain. Row-scan heavy boards often accelerate once two or three regions close — watch for hidden singles in tight blocks.
Late game: final batches collapse quickly when rows and columns near completion. Every row, column, and region contains digits 1–6 with no repeats. Completed path: R2C1=4, R1C3=6, R3C1=1, R3C2=4, R3C5=2, R1C5=1, R1C4=2, R1C6=4, R3C6=6, R4C3=2, R4C5=3, R5C2=1, R5C3=5, R5C6=2, R6C2=3, R6C3=4, R6C4=1, R6C6=5.
Verification: Every row, column, and region contains digits 1–6 with no repeats. Pattern classification: row-scan heavy. Full digit map R2C1=4, R1C3=6, R3C1=1, R3C2=4, R3C5=2, R1C5=1, R1C4=2, R1C6=4, R3C6=6, R4C3=2, R4C5=3, R5C2=1, R5C3=5, R5C6=2, R6C2=3, R6C3=4, R6C4=1, R6C6=5 is consistent with givens and region borders.
Cells
Reasoning
Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 2 and region 1; 2 is already in row 2 and column 1 and region 1; 3 is already in row 2 and column 1 and region 1; 5 is already in row 2 and column 1 and region 1; 6 is already in row 2 and column 1.
Solving note
Naked single at R2C1 in region 1. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in column 3 and region 1; 2 is already in region 1; 3 is already in row 1 and column 3 and region 1; 4 is already in region 1; 5 is already in row 1 and region 1.
Solving note
Naked single at R1C3 in region 1. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 1 fits here — 2 is already in column 1; 3 is already in row 3 and column 1 and region 3; 4 is already in column 1; 5 is already in row 3 and column 1 and region 3; 6 is already in column 1 and region 3.
Solving note
Naked single at R3C1 in region 3. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 3 and region 3; 2 is already in column 2; 3 is already in row 3 and region 3; 5 is already in row 3 and column 2 and region 3; 6 is already in column 2 and region 3.
Solving note
Naked single at R3C2 in region 3. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 2 fits here — 1 is already in row 3 and region 4; 3 is already in row 3; 4 is already in row 3 and column 5 and region 4; 5 is already in row 3 and column 5 and region 4; 6 is already in column 5.
Solving note
Naked single at R3C5 in region 4. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 1 fits here — 2 is already in column 5; 3 is already in row 1 and region 2; 4 is already in column 5; 5 is already in row 1 and column 5 and region 2; 6 is already in row 1 and column 5 and region 2.
Solving note
Naked single at R1C5 in region 2. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 2 fits here — 1 is already in row 1 and region 2; 3 is already in row 1 and column 4 and region 2; 4 is already in column 4; 5 is already in row 1 and column 4 and region 2; 6 is already in row 1 and column 4 and region 2.
Solving note
Naked single at R1C4 in region 2. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 1 and column 6 and region 2; 2 is already in row 1 and region 2; 3 is already in row 1 and column 6 and region 2; 5 is already in row 1 and region 2; 6 is already in row 1 and region 2.
Solving note
Naked single at R1C6 in region 2. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in row 3 and column 6 and region 4; 2 is already in row 3 and region 4; 3 is already in row 3 and column 6; 4 is already in row 3 and column 6 and region 4; 5 is already in row 3 and region 4.
Solving note
Naked single at R3C6 in region 4. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 2 fits here — 1 is already in row 4 and column 3 and region 3; 3 is already in column 3 and region 3; 4 is already in row 4 and region 3; 5 is already in row 4 and region 3; 6 is already in row 4 and column 3 and region 3.
Solving note
Naked single at R4C3 in region 3. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 3 fits here — 1 is already in row 4 and column 5 and region 4; 2 is already in row 4 and column 5 and region 4; 4 is already in row 4 and column 5 and region 4; 5 is already in row 4 and column 5 and region 4; 6 is already in row 4 and column 5 and region 4.
Solving note
Naked single at R4C5 in region 4. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 1 fits here — 2 is already in column 2 and region 5; 3 is already in row 5; 4 is already in row 5 and column 2; 5 is already in column 2; 6 is already in row 5 and column 2 and region 5.
Solving note
Naked single at R5C2 in region 5. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 5 fits here — 1 is already in row 5 and column 3 and region 5; 2 is already in column 3 and region 5; 3 is already in row 5 and column 3; 4 is already in row 5; 6 is already in row 5 and column 3 and region 5.
Solving note
Naked single at R5C3 in region 5. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 2 fits here — 1 is already in row 5 and column 6; 3 is already in row 5 and column 6 and region 6; 4 is already in row 5 and column 6 and region 6; 5 is already in row 5; 6 is already in row 5 and column 6 and region 6.
Solving note
Naked single at R5C6 in region 6. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 3 fits here — 1 is already in column 2 and region 5; 2 is already in row 6 and column 2 and region 5; 4 is already in column 2; 5 is already in column 2 and region 5; 6 is already in row 6 and column 2 and region 5.
Solving note
Naked single at R6C2 in region 5. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in column 3 and region 5; 2 is already in row 6 and column 3 and region 5; 3 is already in row 6 and column 3 and region 5; 5 is already in column 3 and region 5; 6 is already in row 6 and column 3 and region 5.
Solving note
Naked single at R6C3 in region 5. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 1 fits here — 2 is already in row 6 and column 4 and region 6; 3 is already in row 6 and column 4 and region 6; 4 is already in row 6 and column 4 and region 6; 5 is already in column 4; 6 is already in row 6 and column 4 and region 6.
Solving note
Naked single at R6C4 in region 6. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 5 fits here — 1 is already in row 6 and column 6 and region 6; 2 is already in row 6 and column 6 and region 6; 3 is already in row 6 and column 6 and region 6; 4 is already in row 6 and column 6 and region 6; 6 is already in row 6 and column 6 and region 6.
Solving note
Naked single at R6C6 in region 6. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Verification
The fill order R2C1=4, R1C3=6, R3C1=1, R3C2=4, R3C5=2, R1C5=1, R1C4=2, R1C6=4, R3C6=6, R4C3=2, R4C5=3, R5C2=1, R5C3=5, R5C6=2, R6C2=3, R6C3=4, R6C4=1, R6C6=5 is hint-consistent: each step is either a naked single, a hidden single in some unit, or a forced completion. Every row, column, and region contains digits 1–6 with no repeats. Irregular regions add cross-unit pressure — a digit placed for a row often completes part of a region.
Every row, column, and region contains digits 1–6 with no repeats.
Solve path
Phase 1: 18 given digits on a 6×6 board with 6 irregular regions — fill every row, column, and region with 1–6 exactly once. Step 1: R2C1 = 4 (naked single). Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 2 and region 1; 2 is already in row 2 and column 1 and region 1; 3 is already in row 2 and column 1 and region 1; 5 is already in row 2 and column 1 and region 1; 6 is already in row 2 and column 1. Step 2: R1C3 = 6 (naked single). Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in column 3 and region 1; 2 is already in region 1; 3 is already in row 1 and column 3 and region 1; 4 is already in region 1; 5 is already in row 1 and region 1. Step 3: R3C1 = 1 (naked single). Only 1 fits here — 2 is already in column 1; 3 is already in row 3 and column 1 and region 3; 4 is already in column 1; 5 is already in row 3 and column 1 and region 3; 6 is already in column 1 and region 3. Step 4: R3C2 = 4 (naked single). Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 3 and region 3; 2 is already in column 2; 3 is already in row 3 and region 3; 5 is already in row 3 and column 2 and region 3; 6 is already in column 2 and region 3. Step 5: R3C5 = 2 (naked single). Only 2 fits here — 1 is already in row 3 and region 4; 3 is already in row 3; 4 is already in row 3 and column 5 and region 4; 5 is already in row 3 and column 5 and region 4; 6 is already in column 5. Step 6: R1C5 = 1 (naked single). Only 1 fits here — 2 is already in column 5; 3 is already in row 1 and region 2; 4 is already in column 5; 5 is already in row 1 and column 5 and region 2; 6 is already in row 1 and column 5 and region 2. Step 7: R1C4 = 2 (naked single). Only 2 fits here — 1 is already in row 1 and region 2; 3 is already in row 1 and column 4 and region 2; 4 is already in column 4; 5 is already in row 1 and column 4 and region 2; 6 is already in row 1 and column 4 and region 2. Step 8: R1C6 = 4 (naked single). Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 1 and column 6 and region 2; 2 is already in row 1 and region 2; 3 is already in row 1 and column 6 and region 2; 5 is already in row 1 and region 2; 6 is already in row 1 and region 2. Step 9: R3C6 = 6 (naked single). Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in row 3 and column 6 and region 4; 2 is already in row 3 and region 4; 3 is already in row 3 and column 6; 4 is already in row 3 and column 6 and region 4; 5 is already in row 3 and region 4. Step 10: R4C3 = 2 (naked single). Only 2 fits here — 1 is already in row 4 and column 3 and region 3; 3 is already in column 3 and region 3; 4 is already in row 4 and region 3; 5 is already in row 4 and region 3; 6 is already in row 4 and column 3 and region 3. Step 11: R4C5 = 3 (naked single). Only 3 fits here — 1 is already in row 4 and column 5 and region 4; 2 is already in row 4 and column 5 and region 4; 4 is already in row 4 and column 5 and region 4; 5 is already in row 4 and column 5 and region 4; 6 is already in row 4 and column 5 and region 4. Step 12: R5C2 = 1 (naked single). Only 1 fits here — 2 is already in column 2 and region 5; 3 is already in row 5; 4 is already in row 5 and column 2; 5 is already in column 2; 6 is already in row 5 and column 2 and region 5. Step 13: R5C3 = 5 (naked single). Only 5 fits here — 1 is already in row 5 and column 3 and region 5; 2 is already in column 3 and region 5; 3 is already in row 5 and column 3; 4 is already in row 5; 6 is already in row 5 and column 3 and region 5. Step 14: R5C6 = 2 (naked single). Only 2 fits here — 1 is already in row 5 and column 6; 3 is already in row 5 and column 6 and region 6; 4 is already in row 5 and column 6 and region 6; 5 is already in row 5; 6 is already in row 5 and column 6 and region 6. Step 15: R6C2 = 3 (naked single). Only 3 fits here — 1 is already in column 2 and region 5; 2 is already in row 6 and column 2 and region 5; 4 is already in column 2; 5 is already in column 2 and region 5; 6 is already in row 6 and column 2 and region 5. Step 16: R6C3 = 4 (naked single). Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in column 3 and region 5; 2 is already in row 6 and column 3 and region 5; 3 is already in row 6 and column 3 and region 5; 5 is already in column 3 and region 5; 6 is already in row 6 and column 3 and region 5. Step 17: R6C4 = 1 (naked single). Only 1 fits here — 2 is already in row 6 and column 4 and region 6; 3 is already in row 6 and column 4 and region 6; 4 is already in row 6 and column 4 and region 6; 5 is already in column 4; 6 is already in row 6 and column 4 and region 6. Step 18: R6C6 = 5 (naked single). Only 5 fits here — 1 is already in row 6 and column 6 and region 6; 2 is already in row 6 and column 6 and region 6; 3 is already in row 6 and column 6 and region 6; 4 is already in row 6 and column 6 and region 6; 6 is already in row 6 and column 6 and region 6. Complete: Every row, column, and region contains digits 1–6 with no repeats.
Pattern
Most fills come from scanning rows and columns for cells where only one digit fits — classic naked-single territory.
Techniques: 18× Naked single
Learn more in Mini Sudoku Puzzle Strategies →Takeaways
On Mini Sudoku Level 5, never check only the row — column and region 6 regions, 6 cells each must agree before placing.
Most fills come from scanning rows and columns for cells where only one digit fits — classic naked-single territory.
This solve used 18× Naked single. Start with naked singles; switch to hidden singles when the grid stalls.
Solution
This Mini Sudoku board is 6×6 with 6 regions, 6 cells each and 18 given digits. Unlike classic 9×9 sudoku, the shaded regions here are irregular shapes that overlap rows and columns, so each placement affects multiple groups at once. Every row, column, and region must contain 1 through 6 with no repeats — the hint engine uses naked singles and hidden singles to walk through 18 remaining cells. Most fills come from scanning rows and columns for cells where only one digit fits — classic naked-single territory. Solve order (hint-driven): R2C1=4, R1C3=6, R3C1=1, R3C2=4, R3C5=2, R1C5=1, R1C4=2, R1C6=4, R3C6=6, R4C3=2, R4C5=3, R5C2=1, R5C3=5, R5C6=2, R6C2=3, R6C3=4, R6C4=1, R6C6=5. Use the Solution tab for a cell-by-cell walkthrough with live grid updates, or the Solved board tab for the complete grid at a glance.