What is Sudoku?
Sudoku is a logic puzzle with roots in Number Place, a pencil puzzle created in the late twentieth century and popularised in Japan. From there it spread to newspapers around the world and later to the web and mobile apps. The appeal is simple. You use reasoning rather than arithmetic to complete a clean nine by nine grid, one certain step at a time.
People enjoy Sudoku because it is calm yet engaging. You scan for patterns, remove impossible options, and place digits with confidence. Regular play is known to strengthen attention, support working memory, and build problem solving habits that carry into daily life. If you would like the full story of how the game grew, visit our short overview on the Sudoku history page.