Sudoku365
Expert Sudoku for Sunday, January 18, 2026
Expert Sudoku · Sunday, January 18, 2026 · Solution: sudoku365.com/daily/2026/01/18/expert
About This Expert Sudoku Puzzle
This expert Sudoku for Sunday, January 18, 2026 (1/18/2026) starts with 25 given numbers and has exactly one solution. Solved logically, this grid takes 38 naked singles, 18 hidden singles and 4 locked-candidates steps.
Hardest technique needed: Locked Candidates. A solver that uses only human techniques finishes this puzzle without guessing. Puzzles up to October 2026 were labelled by clue count, and this one plays easier than its Expert label. New to it? Read the Locked Candidates guide.
Stuck? See the first moves
- 7 goes in row 8, column 5: it is the only cell in row 8 that can hold a 7 (hidden single).
- 7 goes in row 2, column 6: it is the only cell in row 2 that can hold a 7 (hidden single).
- 9 goes in row 2, column 5: it is the only cell in row 2 that can hold a 9 (hidden single).
Show the answer to the January 18, 2026 expert Sudoku
| 9 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 4 |
| 1 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 2 |
| 5 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 1 | 6 |
| 3 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 9 |
| 4 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 5 |
| 8 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| 7 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| 6 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 8 |
| 2 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 7 |
Bold digits are the original clues.
Print This Puzzle
Press Print above for a clean, full-page copy of this grid — no download or sign-up needed. To get all four of this date's levels on one sheet, print the January 18 set with answers, or grab a printable Expert pack with four puzzles and their solutions. Want the answer on paper too? Print this puzzle in large print with its answer key, or print 7 days of Expert puzzles starting on this date.
How to Solve This Puzzle
Click any empty cell and enter a number from 1-9. Use logic to determine which numbers can fit in each cell based on the Sudoku rules: no repeating numbers in any row, column, or 3x3 box. Turn on Notes to pencil in candidates; they are cleared automatically when you place a digit in the same row, column or box. Stuck for good? Show Solution fills in the answer.
Keyboard Shortcuts
- 1-9: Enter number in selected cell
- Arrow Keys: Navigate between cells
- Backspace/Delete: Clear selected cell
- N: Toggle pencil-mark notes
- Ctrl+Z / ⌘Z: Undo
Tips for Expert Puzzles
- Keep full pencil marks and update them after every placement
- Look for pairs and triples before hunting for bigger patterns
- Use Y-Wing and X-Wing when simpler eliminations run out
- See our advanced guide: X-Wing technique