2026-07-31
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Puzzle guide
Full breakdown using the Pattern lab format — cell-by-cell fills, technique labels, and strategy notes.
Overview
LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #354 is the LinkedIn Mini Sudoku daily for July 31, 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 8 given digits and fills 28 remaining cells. Layout: 6 regions, 6 cells each.
R1C5=2, R2C1=1, R2C2=3, R3C3=5, R1C3=4, R1C1=6, R1C2=5, R4C3=3, R5C3=1, R4C4=1, R5C6=5, R2C4=5, R6C5=1, R6C6=3, R5C5=4, R2C5=6, R2C6=4, R3C5=3, R5C2=2, R5C1=3, R6C2=4, R4C2=6, R4C6=2, R3C4=4, R3C1=2, R3C6=6, R4C1=4, R6C4=2
Analysis
Lab sample LinkedIn Mini Sudoku #354. Dimensions 6×6. Givens: 8. Pattern tag: row-scan heavy. Technique histogram: 19× Naked single, 9× Hidden single (row).
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.
Observation set 1: coordinates R1C5=2, R2C1=1, R2C2=3, R3C3=5; technique classes Hidden single (row), Hidden single (row), Hidden single (row), Hidden single (row).
Observation set 2: coordinates R1C3=4, R1C1=6, R1C2=5, R4C3=3; technique classes Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single.
Observation set 3: coordinates R5C3=1, R4C4=1, R5C6=5, R2C4=5; technique classes Naked single, Hidden single (row), Hidden single (row), Hidden single (row).
Observation set 4: coordinates R6C5=1, R6C6=3, R5C5=4, R2C5=6; technique classes Hidden single (row), Hidden single (row), Naked single, Naked single.
Observation set 5: coordinates R2C6=4, R3C5=3, R5C2=2, R5C1=3; technique classes Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single.
Observation set 6: coordinates R6C2=4, R4C2=6, R4C6=2, R3C4=4; technique classes Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single.
Observation set 7: coordinates R3C1=2, R3C6=6, R4C1=4, R6C4=2; technique classes Naked single, Naked single, Naked single, Naked single.
Mid-solve checkpoint: 14 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: R1C5=2, R2C1=1, R2C2=3, R3C3=5, R1C3=4, R1C1=6, R1C2=5, R4C3=3, R5C3=1, R4C4=1, R5C6=5, R2C4=5, R6C5=1, R6C6=3, R5C5=4, R2C5=6, R2C6=4, R3C5=3, R5C2=2, R5C1=3, R6C2=4, R4C2=6, R4C6=2, R3C4=4, R3C1=2, R3C6=6, R4C1=4, R6C4=2.
Lab result: Row-scan heavy. Technique summary 19× Naked single, 9× Hidden single (row). Coordinates R1C5=2, R2C1=1, R2C2=3, R3C3=5, R1C3=4, R1C1=6, R1C2=5, R4C3=3, R5C3=1, R4C4=1, R5C6=5, R2C4=5, R6C5=1, R6C6=3, R5C5=4, R2C5=6, R2C6=4, R3C5=3, R5C2=2, R5C1=3, R6C2=4, R4C2=6, R4C6=2, R3C4=4, R3C1=2, R3C6=6, R4C1=4, R6C4=2.
Cells
Reasoning
2 cannot go anywhere else in row 1 — every other empty cell is blocked by a row, column, or region clash.
Solving note
Hidden single (row) at R1C5 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 R2C1 in region 1. A digit can only appear in one empty cell within its row.
Reasoning
3 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 R2C2 in region 1. A digit can only appear in one empty cell within its row.
Reasoning
5 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 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 1 and region 1; 2 is already in row 1 and column 3 and region 1; 3 is already in row 1 and region 1; 5 is already in column 3; 6 is already in column 3.
Solving note
Naked single at R1C3 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 1 and column 1 and region 1; 2 is already in row 1 and region 1; 3 is already in row 1 and region 1; 4 is already in row 1 and region 1; 5 is already in column 1.
Solving note
Naked single at R1C1 in region 1. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 5 fits here — 1 is already in row 1 and column 2 and region 1; 2 is already in row 1 and region 1; 3 is already in row 1 and column 2 and region 1; 4 is already in row 1 and region 1; 6 is already in row 1 and region 1.
Solving note
Naked single at R1C2 in region 1. Only one digit fits this cell after row, column, and region eliminations.
Reasoning
Only 3 fits here — 1 is already in region 3; 2 is already in column 3; 4 is already in column 3; 5 is already in row 4 and column 3 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 1 fits here — 2 is already in column 3; 3 is already in column 3; 4 is already in column 3; 5 is already in 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.
Reasoning
1 cannot go anywhere else in row 4 — every other empty cell is blocked by a row, column, or region clash.
Solving note
Hidden single (row) at R4C4 in region 4. A digit can only appear in one empty cell within its row.
Reasoning
5 cannot go anywhere else in row 5 — every other empty cell is blocked by a row, column, or region clash.
Solving note
Hidden single (row) at R5C6 in region 6. A digit can only appear in one empty cell within its row.
Reasoning
5 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 6 — every other empty cell is blocked by a row, column, or region clash.
Solving note
Hidden single (row) at R6C5 in region 6. A digit can only appear in one empty cell within its row.
Reasoning
3 cannot go anywhere else in row 6 — every other empty cell is blocked by a row, column, or region clash.
Solving note
Hidden single (row) at R6C6 in region 6. A digit can only appear in one empty cell within its row.
Reasoning
Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 5 and column 5 and region 6; 2 is already in column 5; 3 is already in region 6; 5 is already in row 5 and column 5 and region 6; 6 is already in row 5 and 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 6 fits here — 1 is already in row 2 and column 5 and region 2; 2 is already in row 2 and column 5 and region 2; 3 is already in row 2 and region 2; 4 is already in column 5; 5 is already in row 2 and column 5 and region 2.
Solving note
Naked single at R2C5 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 2 and column 6 and region 2; 2 is already in row 2 and region 2; 3 is already in row 2 and column 6 and region 2; 5 is already in row 2 and column 6 and region 2; 6 is already in row 2 and region 2.
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 3 and column 5 and region 4; 2 is already in column 5; 4 is already in column 5; 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 2 fits here — 1 is already in row 5 and column 2 and region 5; 3 is already in column 2; 4 is already in row 5; 5 is already in row 5 and column 2 and region 5; 6 is already in row 5 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 3 fits here — 1 is already in row 5 and column 1 and region 5; 2 is already in row 5 and region 5; 4 is already in row 5; 5 is already in row 5 and column 1 and region 5; 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 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 6 and column 2 and region 5; 2 is already in column 2 and region 5; 3 is already in row 6 and column 2 and region 5; 5 is already in row 6 and column 2 and region 5; 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
Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in row 4 and column 2 and region 3; 2 is already in column 2; 3 is already in row 4 and column 2 and region 3; 4 is already in column 2; 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 2 fits here — 1 is already in row 4 and column 6 and region 4; 3 is already in row 4 and column 6 and region 4; 4 is already in column 6; 5 is already in row 4 and column 6 and region 4; 6 is already in row 4.
Solving note
Naked single at R4C6 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 3 and column 4 and region 4; 2 is already in region 4; 3 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 column 4.
Solving note
Naked single at R3C4 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 3 and column 1 and region 3; 3 is already in row 3 and column 1 and region 3; 4 is already in row 3; 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 6 fits here — 1 is already in row 3 and column 6 and region 4; 2 is already in row 3 and column 6 and region 4; 3 is already in row 3 and column 6 and region 4; 4 is already in row 3 and column 6 and region 4; 5 is already in row 3 and column 6 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 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 4 and column 1 and region 3; 2 is already in row 4 and column 1 and region 3; 3 is already in row 4 and column 1 and region 3; 5 is already in row 4 and column 1 and region 3; 6 is already in row 4 and column 1 and region 3.
Solving note
Naked single at R4C1 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 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 row 6 and column 4 and region 6; 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.
Verification
Optimal deduction chain length 28. Technique distribution: 19× Naked single, 9× Hidden single (row). Pattern: row-scan heavy.
Every row, column, and region contains digits 1–6 with no repeats.
Solve path
Phase 1: 8 given digits on a 6×6 board with 6 irregular regions — fill every row, column, and region with 1–6 exactly once. Step 1: R1C5 = 2 (hidden single (row)). 2 cannot go anywhere else in row 1 — every other empty cell is blocked by a row, column, or region clash. Step 2: R2C1 = 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 3: R2C2 = 3 (hidden single (row)). 3 cannot go anywhere else in row 2 — every other empty cell is blocked by a row, column, or region clash. Step 4: R3C3 = 5 (hidden single (row)). 5 cannot go anywhere else in row 3 — every other empty cell is blocked by a row, column, or region clash. Step 5: R1C3 = 4 (naked single). Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 1 and region 1; 2 is already in row 1 and column 3 and region 1; 3 is already in row 1 and region 1; 5 is already in column 3; 6 is already in column 3. Step 6: R1C1 = 6 (naked single). Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in row 1 and column 1 and region 1; 2 is already in row 1 and region 1; 3 is already in row 1 and region 1; 4 is already in row 1 and region 1; 5 is already in column 1. Step 7: R1C2 = 5 (naked single). Only 5 fits here — 1 is already in row 1 and column 2 and region 1; 2 is already in row 1 and region 1; 3 is already in row 1 and column 2 and region 1; 4 is already in row 1 and region 1; 6 is already in row 1 and region 1. Step 8: R4C3 = 3 (naked single). Only 3 fits here — 1 is already in region 3; 2 is already in column 3; 4 is already in column 3; 5 is already in row 4 and column 3 and region 3; 6 is already in column 3. Step 9: R5C3 = 1 (naked single). Only 1 fits here — 2 is already in column 3; 3 is already in column 3; 4 is already in column 3; 5 is already in column 3 and region 5; 6 is already in row 5 and column 3 and region 5. Step 10: R4C4 = 1 (hidden single (row)). 1 cannot go anywhere else in row 4 — every other empty cell is blocked by a row, column, or region clash. Step 11: R5C6 = 5 (hidden single (row)). 5 cannot go anywhere else in row 5 — every other empty cell is blocked by a row, column, or region clash. Step 12: R2C4 = 5 (hidden single (row)). 5 cannot go anywhere else in row 2 — every other empty cell is blocked by a row, column, or region clash. Step 13: R6C5 = 1 (hidden single (row)). 1 cannot go anywhere else in row 6 — every other empty cell is blocked by a row, column, or region clash. Step 14: R6C6 = 3 (hidden single (row)). 3 cannot go anywhere else in row 6 — every other empty cell is blocked by a row, column, or region clash. Step 15: R5C5 = 4 (naked single). Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 5 and column 5 and region 6; 2 is already in column 5; 3 is already in region 6; 5 is already in row 5 and column 5 and region 6; 6 is already in row 5 and region 6. Step 16: R2C5 = 6 (naked single). Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in row 2 and column 5 and region 2; 2 is already in row 2 and column 5 and region 2; 3 is already in row 2 and region 2; 4 is already in column 5; 5 is already in row 2 and column 5 and region 2. Step 17: R2C6 = 4 (naked single). Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 2 and column 6 and region 2; 2 is already in row 2 and region 2; 3 is already in row 2 and column 6 and region 2; 5 is already in row 2 and column 6 and region 2; 6 is already in row 2 and region 2. Step 18: R3C5 = 3 (naked single). Only 3 fits here — 1 is already in row 3 and column 5 and region 4; 2 is already in column 5; 4 is already in column 5; 5 is already in row 3 and column 5 and region 4; 6 is already in column 5. Step 19: R5C2 = 2 (naked single). Only 2 fits here — 1 is already in row 5 and column 2 and region 5; 3 is already in column 2; 4 is already in row 5; 5 is already in row 5 and column 2 and region 5; 6 is already in row 5 and region 5. Step 20: R5C1 = 3 (naked single). Only 3 fits here — 1 is already in row 5 and column 1 and region 5; 2 is already in row 5 and region 5; 4 is already in row 5; 5 is already in row 5 and column 1 and region 5; 6 is already in row 5 and column 1 and region 5. Step 21: R6C2 = 4 (naked single). Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 6 and column 2 and region 5; 2 is already in column 2 and region 5; 3 is already in row 6 and column 2 and region 5; 5 is already in row 6 and column 2 and region 5; 6 is already in row 6 and region 5. Step 22: R4C2 = 6 (naked single). Only 6 fits here — 1 is already in row 4 and column 2 and region 3; 2 is already in column 2; 3 is already in row 4 and column 2 and region 3; 4 is already in column 2; 5 is already in row 4 and column 2 and region 3. Step 23: R4C6 = 2 (naked single). Only 2 fits here — 1 is already in row 4 and column 6 and region 4; 3 is already in row 4 and column 6 and region 4; 4 is already in column 6; 5 is already in row 4 and column 6 and region 4; 6 is already in row 4. Step 24: R3C4 = 4 (naked single). Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 3 and column 4 and region 4; 2 is already in region 4; 3 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 column 4. Step 25: R3C1 = 2 (naked single). Only 2 fits here — 1 is already in row 3 and column 1 and region 3; 3 is already in row 3 and column 1 and region 3; 4 is already in row 3; 5 is already in row 3 and column 1 and region 3; 6 is already in column 1 and region 3. Step 26: 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 column 6 and region 4; 3 is already in row 3 and column 6 and region 4; 4 is already in row 3 and column 6 and region 4; 5 is already in row 3 and column 6 and region 4. Step 27: R4C1 = 4 (naked single). Only 4 fits here — 1 is already in row 4 and column 1 and region 3; 2 is already in row 4 and column 1 and region 3; 3 is already in row 4 and column 1 and region 3; 5 is already in row 4 and column 1 and region 3; 6 is already in row 4 and column 1 and region 3. Step 28: R6C4 = 2 (naked single). Only 2 fits here — 1 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 row 6 and column 4 and region 6; 6 is already in row 6 and column 4 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: 19× Naked single, 9× Hidden single (row)
Learn more in Mini Sudoku Puzzle Strategies →Takeaways
6 regions, 6 cells each
19× Naked single, 9× Hidden single (row)
R1C5=2, R2C1=1, R2C2=3, R3C3=5, R1C3=4, R1C1=6, R1C2=5, R4C3=3, R5C3=1, R4C4=1, R5C6=5, R2C4=5, R6C5=1, R6C6=3, R5C5=4, R2C5=6, R2C6=4, R3C5=3, R5C2=2, R5C1=3, R6C2=4, R4C2=6, R4C6=2, R3C4=4, R3C1=2, R3C6=6, R4C1=4, R6C4=2
Solution
This Mini Sudoku board is 6×6 with 6 regions, 6 cells each and 8 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 28 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): R1C5=2, R2C1=1, R2C2=3, R3C3=5, R1C3=4, R1C1=6, R1C2=5, R4C3=3, R5C3=1, R4C4=1, R5C6=5, R2C4=5, R6C5=1, R6C6=3, R5C5=4, R2C5=6, R2C6=4, R3C5=3, R5C2=2, R5C1=3, R6C2=4, R4C2=6, R4C6=2, R3C4=4, R3C1=2, R3C6=6, R4C1=4, R6C4=2. 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.