2026-07-19
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Puzzle guide
Full breakdown using the Case file format — cell-by-cell fills, technique labels, and strategy notes.
Overview
LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #342 is the LinkedIn Mini Sudoku daily for July 19, 2026. 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: Hard. Estimated solve time: 6–10 min. Read the explainer sections below for strategy, or jump straight into play.
Answer
This 6×6 Mini Sudoku starts with 10 given digits and fills 26 remaining cells. Layout: 6 regions, 6 cells each.
R3C3=4, R6C3=6, R6C5=3, R5C5=6, R5C6=2, R6C1=4, R6C2=2, R2C4=2, R2C5=1, R3C5=5, R1C5=4, R3C6=6, R2C6=5, R1C6=3, R1C4=6, R1C2=5, R2C1=6, R2C2=4, R3C4=1, R4C1=5, R4C3=1, R4C2=6, R4C4=3, R5C1=3, R5C2=1, R5C3=5
Analysis
Case LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #342: 6×6 grid, 10 fixed digits, 26 open cells. Region layout: 6 regions, 6 cells each. Full placement map: R3C3=4, R6C3=6, R6C5=3, R5C5=6, R5C6=2, R6C1=4, R6C2=2, R2C4=2, R2C5=1, R3C5=5, R1C5=4, R3C6=6, R2C6=5, R1C6=3, R1C4=6, R1C2=5, R2C1=6, R2C2=4, R3C4=1, R4C1=5, R4C3=1, R4C2=6, R4C4=3, R5C1=3, R5C2=1, R5C3=5.
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.
Evidence block 1: R3C3=4, R6C3=6, R6C5=3, R5C5=6. Chain of reasoning ties givens to these cells via Hidden single (row), Naked single, Naked single, Naked single.
Evidence block 2: R5C6=2, R6C1=4, R6C2=2, R2C4=2. Chain of reasoning ties givens to these cells via Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Hidden single (row).
Evidence block 3: R2C5=1, R3C5=5, R1C5=4, R3C6=6. Chain of reasoning ties givens to these cells via Hidden single (row), Naked single, Naked single, Naked single.
Evidence block 4: R2C6=5, R1C6=3, R1C4=6, R1C2=5. Chain of reasoning ties givens to these cells via Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single.
Evidence block 5: R2C1=6, R2C2=4, R3C4=1, R4C1=5. Chain of reasoning ties givens to these cells via Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single.
Evidence block 6: R4C3=1, R4C2=6, R4C4=3, R5C1=3. Chain of reasoning ties givens to these cells via Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single.
Evidence block 7: R5C2=1, R5C3=5. Chain of reasoning ties givens to these cells via Naked single, Naked single.
Mid-solve checkpoint: 13 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: R3C3=4, R6C3=6, R6C5=3, R5C5=6, R5C6=2, R6C1=4, R6C2=2, R2C4=2, R2C5=1, R3C5=5, R1C5=4, R3C6=6, R2C6=5, R1C6=3, R1C4=6, R1C2=5, R2C1=6, R2C2=4, R3C4=1, R4C1=5, R4C3=1, R4C2=6, R4C4=3, R5C1=3, R5C2=1, R5C3=5.
Verdict: placement set R3C3=4, R6C3=6, R6C5=3, R5C5=6, R5C6=2, R6C1=4, R6C2=2, R2C4=2, R2C5=1, R3C5=5, R1C5=4, R3C6=6, R2C6=5, R1C6=3, R1C4=6, R1C2=5, R2C1=6, R2C2=4, R3C4=1, R4C1=5, R4C3=1, R4C2=6, R4C4=3, R5C1=3, R5C2=1, R5C3=5 satisfies all sudoku constraints. Case closed.
Cells
Reasoning
4 cannot go anywhere else in row 3 — every other empty cell is blocked by a row, column, or region clash.
Solving note
Hidden single (row) at R3C3 in region 3. A digit can only appear in one empty cell within its row.
Reasoning
Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in row 6; 2 is already in column 3; 3 is already in column 3; 4 is already in column 3; 5 is already in row 6.
Solving note
Naked single at R6C3 in region 5. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 3 fits here — 1 is already in row 6 and region 6; 2 is already in column 5; 4 is already in region 6; 5 is already in row 6 and region 6; 6 is already in row 6.
Solving note
Naked single at R6C5 in region 6. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in region 6; 2 is already in column 5; 3 is already in column 5 and region 6; 4 is already in row 5 and region 6; 5 is already in region 6.
Solving note
Naked single at R5C5 in region 6. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 2 fits here — 1 is already in column 6 and region 6; 3 is already in region 6; 4 is already in row 5 and column 6 and region 6; 5 is already in region 6; 6 is already in row 5 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 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 6 and column 1; 2 is already in column 1; 3 is already in row 6; 5 is already in row 6; 6 is already in row 6 and region 5.
Solving note
Naked single at R6C1 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 6; 3 is already in row 6 and column 2; 4 is already in row 6 and region 5; 5 is already in row 6; 6 is already in row 6 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
2 cannot go anywhere else in row 2 — every other empty cell is blocked by a row, column, or region clash.
Solving note
Hidden single (row) at R2C4 in region 2. A digit can only appear in one empty cell within its row.
Reasoning
1 cannot go anywhere else in row 2 — every other empty cell is blocked by a row, column, or region clash.
Solving note
Hidden single (row) at R2C5 in region 2. A digit can only appear in one empty cell within its row.
Reasoning
Only 5 fits here — 1 is already in column 5; 2 is already in row 3 and column 5 and region 4; 3 is already in row 3 and column 5; 4 is already in row 3 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 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 1 and column 5 and region 2; 2 is already in row 1 and column 5 and region 2; 3 is already in column 5; 5 is already in column 5; 6 is already in column 5.
Solving note
Naked single at R1C5 in region 2. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in column 6; 2 is already in row 3 and column 6 and region 4; 3 is already in row 3; 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 5 fits here — 1 is already in row 2 and column 6 and region 2; 2 is already in row 2 and column 6 and region 2; 3 is already in row 2; 4 is already in column 6 and region 2; 6 is already in column 6.
Solving note
Naked single at R2C6 in region 2. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 3 fits here — 1 is already in row 1 and column 6 and region 2; 2 is already in row 1 and column 6 and region 2; 4 is already in row 1 and column 6 and region 2; 5 is already in column 6 and region 2; 6 is already in column 6.
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 1 and region 2; 2 is already in row 1 and column 4 and region 2; 3 is already in row 1 and region 2; 4 is already in row 1 and column 4 and region 2; 5 is already in 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 5 fits here — 1 is already in row 1 and region 1; 2 is already in row 1 and column 2 and region 1; 3 is already in row 1 and column 2 and region 1; 4 is already in row 1; 6 is already in row 1.
Solving note
Naked single at R1C2 in region 1. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in row 2 and column 1 and region 1; 2 is already in row 2 and column 1 and region 1; 3 is already in row 2 and region 1; 4 is already in column 1; 5 is already in row 2 and region 1.
Solving note
Naked single at R2C1 in region 1. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 2 and region 1; 2 is already in row 2 and column 2 and region 1; 3 is already in row 2 and column 2 and region 1; 5 is already in row 2 and column 2 and region 1; 6 is already in row 2 and region 1.
Solving note
Naked single at R2C2 in region 1. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 1 fits here — 2 is already in row 3 and column 4 and region 4; 3 is already in row 3; 4 is already in row 3 and column 4 and region 4; 5 is already in row 3 and column 4 and region 4; 6 is already in row 3 and column 4 and region 4.
Solving note
Naked single at R3C4 in region 4. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 5 fits here — 1 is already in column 1; 2 is already in row 4 and column 1 and region 3; 3 is already in region 3; 4 is already in row 4 and column 1 and region 3; 6 is already in column 1.
Solving note
Naked single at R4C1 in region 3. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 1 fits here — 2 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 column 3 and region 3; 5 is already in row 4 and region 3; 6 is already in column 3.
Solving note
Naked single at R4C3 in region 3. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in row 4 and region 3; 2 is already in row 4 and column 2 and region 3; 3 is already in column 2 and region 3; 4 is already in row 4 and column 2 and region 3; 5 is already in row 4 and column 2 and region 3.
Solving note
Naked single at R4C2 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 4 and region 4; 2 is already in row 4 and column 4 and region 4; 4 is already in row 4 and column 4 and region 4; 5 is already in row 4 and column 4 and region 4; 6 is already in row 4 and column 4 and region 4.
Solving note
Naked single at R4C4 in region 4. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 3 fits here — 1 is already in column 1; 2 is already in row 5 and column 1 and region 5; 4 is already in row 5 and column 1 and region 5; 5 is already in column 1; 6 is already in row 5 and column 1 and region 5.
Solving note
Naked single at R5C1 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 5 and column 2 and region 5; 3 is already in row 5 and column 2 and region 5; 4 is already in row 5 and column 2 and region 5; 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 row 5 and column 3 and region 5; 3 is already in row 5 and column 3 and region 5; 4 is already in row 5 and column 3 and region 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.
Verification
Evidence supports R3C3=4, R6C3=6, R6C5=3, R5C5=6, R5C6=2, R6C1=4, R6C2=2, R2C4=2, R2C5=1, R3C5=5, R1C5=4, R3C6=6, R2C6=5, R1C6=3, R1C4=6, R1C2=5, R2C1=6, R2C2=4, R3C4=1, R4C1=5, R4C3=1, R4C2=6, R4C4=3, R5C1=3, R5C2=1, R5C3=5. Alternative digits at any step would break unit uniqueness or contradict givens.
Every row, column, and region contains digits 1–6 with no repeats.
Solve path
Phase 1: 10 given digits on a 6×6 board with 6 irregular regions — fill every row, column, and region with 1–6 exactly once. Step 1: R3C3 = 4 (hidden single (row)). 4 cannot go anywhere else in row 3 — every other empty cell is blocked by a row, column, or region clash. Step 2: R6C3 = 6 (naked single). Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in row 6; 2 is already in column 3; 3 is already in column 3; 4 is already in column 3; 5 is already in row 6. Step 3: R6C5 = 3 (naked single). Only 3 fits here — 1 is already in row 6 and region 6; 2 is already in column 5; 4 is already in region 6; 5 is already in row 6 and region 6; 6 is already in row 6. Step 4: R5C5 = 6 (naked single). Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in region 6; 2 is already in column 5; 3 is already in column 5 and region 6; 4 is already in row 5 and region 6; 5 is already in region 6. Step 5: R5C6 = 2 (naked single). Only 2 fits here — 1 is already in column 6 and region 6; 3 is already in region 6; 4 is already in row 5 and column 6 and region 6; 5 is already in region 6; 6 is already in row 5 and region 6. Step 6: R6C1 = 4 (naked single). Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 6 and column 1; 2 is already in column 1; 3 is already in row 6; 5 is already in row 6; 6 is already in row 6 and region 5. Step 7: R6C2 = 2 (naked single). Only 2 fits here — 1 is already in row 6; 3 is already in row 6 and column 2; 4 is already in row 6 and region 5; 5 is already in row 6; 6 is already in row 6 and region 5. Step 8: R2C4 = 2 (hidden single (row)). 2 cannot go anywhere else in row 2 — every other empty cell is blocked by a row, column, or region clash. Step 9: R2C5 = 1 (hidden single (row)). 1 cannot go anywhere else in row 2 — every other empty cell is blocked by a row, column, or region clash. Step 10: R3C5 = 5 (naked single). Only 5 fits here — 1 is already in column 5; 2 is already in row 3 and column 5 and region 4; 3 is already in row 3 and column 5; 4 is already in row 3 and region 4; 6 is already in column 5. Step 11: R1C5 = 4 (naked single). Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 1 and column 5 and region 2; 2 is already in row 1 and column 5 and region 2; 3 is already in column 5; 5 is already in column 5; 6 is already in column 5. Step 12: R3C6 = 6 (naked single). Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in column 6; 2 is already in row 3 and column 6 and region 4; 3 is already in row 3; 4 is already in row 3 and column 6 and region 4; 5 is already in row 3 and region 4. Step 13: R2C6 = 5 (naked single). Only 5 fits here — 1 is already in row 2 and column 6 and region 2; 2 is already in row 2 and column 6 and region 2; 3 is already in row 2; 4 is already in column 6 and region 2; 6 is already in column 6. Step 14: R1C6 = 3 (naked single). Only 3 fits here — 1 is already in row 1 and column 6 and region 2; 2 is already in row 1 and column 6 and region 2; 4 is already in row 1 and column 6 and region 2; 5 is already in column 6 and region 2; 6 is already in column 6. Step 15: R1C4 = 6 (naked single). Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in row 1 and region 2; 2 is already in row 1 and column 4 and region 2; 3 is already in row 1 and region 2; 4 is already in row 1 and column 4 and region 2; 5 is already in column 4 and region 2. Step 16: R1C2 = 5 (naked single). Only 5 fits here — 1 is already in row 1 and region 1; 2 is already in row 1 and column 2 and region 1; 3 is already in row 1 and column 2 and region 1; 4 is already in row 1; 6 is already in row 1. Step 17: R2C1 = 6 (naked single). Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in row 2 and column 1 and region 1; 2 is already in row 2 and column 1 and region 1; 3 is already in row 2 and region 1; 4 is already in column 1; 5 is already in row 2 and region 1. Step 18: R2C2 = 4 (naked single). Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 2 and region 1; 2 is already in row 2 and column 2 and region 1; 3 is already in row 2 and column 2 and region 1; 5 is already in row 2 and column 2 and region 1; 6 is already in row 2 and region 1. Step 19: R3C4 = 1 (naked single). Only 1 fits here — 2 is already in row 3 and column 4 and region 4; 3 is already in row 3; 4 is already in row 3 and column 4 and region 4; 5 is already in row 3 and column 4 and region 4; 6 is already in row 3 and column 4 and region 4. Step 20: R4C1 = 5 (naked single). Only 5 fits here — 1 is already in column 1; 2 is already in row 4 and column 1 and region 3; 3 is already in region 3; 4 is already in row 4 and column 1 and region 3; 6 is already in column 1. Step 21: R4C3 = 1 (naked single). Only 1 fits here — 2 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 column 3 and region 3; 5 is already in row 4 and region 3; 6 is already in column 3. Step 22: R4C2 = 6 (naked single). Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in row 4 and region 3; 2 is already in row 4 and column 2 and region 3; 3 is already in column 2 and region 3; 4 is already in row 4 and column 2 and region 3; 5 is already in row 4 and column 2 and region 3. Step 23: R4C4 = 3 (naked single). Only 3 fits here — 1 is already in row 4 and column 4 and region 4; 2 is already in row 4 and column 4 and region 4; 4 is already in row 4 and column 4 and region 4; 5 is already in row 4 and column 4 and region 4; 6 is already in row 4 and column 4 and region 4. Step 24: R5C1 = 3 (naked single). Only 3 fits here — 1 is already in column 1; 2 is already in row 5 and column 1 and region 5; 4 is already in row 5 and column 1 and region 5; 5 is already in column 1; 6 is already in row 5 and column 1 and region 5. Step 25: R5C2 = 1 (naked single). Only 1 fits here — 2 is already in row 5 and column 2 and region 5; 3 is already in row 5 and column 2 and region 5; 4 is already in row 5 and column 2 and region 5; 5 is already in column 2; 6 is already in row 5 and column 2 and region 5. Step 26: R5C3 = 5 (naked single). Only 5 fits here — 1 is already in row 5 and column 3 and region 5; 2 is already in row 5 and column 3 and region 5; 3 is already in row 5 and column 3 and region 5; 4 is already in row 5 and column 3 and region 5; 6 is already in row 5 and column 3 and region 5. 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: 23× Naked single, 3× Hidden single (row)
Learn more in Mini Sudoku Puzzle Strategies →Takeaways
Early placements R3C3, R6C3, R6C5 constrained the rest of the grid.
Any candidate that repeats in its row, column, or region is eliminated — most cells have only one option left after givens propagate.
Most fills come from scanning rows and columns for cells where only one digit fits — classic naked-single territory.
Solution
This Mini Sudoku board is 6×6 with 6 regions, 6 cells each and 10 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 26 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): R3C3=4, R6C3=6, R6C5=3, R5C5=6, R5C6=2, R6C1=4, R6C2=2, R2C4=2, R2C5=1, R3C5=5, R1C5=4, R3C6=6, R2C6=5, R1C6=3, R1C4=6, R1C2=5, R2C1=6, R2C2=4, R3C4=1, R4C1=5, R4C3=1, R4C2=6, R4C4=3, R5C1=3, R5C2=1, R5C3=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.