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Expert Sudoku for Monday, February 16, 2026
Expert Sudoku · Monday, February 16, 2026 · Solution: sudoku365.com/daily/2026/02/16/expert
About This Expert Sudoku Puzzle
This expert Sudoku for Monday, February 16, 2026 (2/16/2026) starts with 26 given numbers and has exactly one solution. A logic solver places 39 of the 55 empty cells with 21 naked singles, 18 hidden singles, 4 locked-candidates steps, 3 naked pairs and 2 hidden pairs before it stalls.
Hardest technique needed: beyond the guides on this site. A solver using singles, locked candidates, pairs, triples, X-Wing, Swordfish and Y-Wing stalls with 16 cells still empty, so expect to need longer chains. The puzzle still has exactly one solution.
Stuck? See the first moves
- 7 goes in row 2, column 2: it is the only cell in row 2 that can hold a 7 (hidden single).
- 1 goes in row 3, column 7: it is the only cell in row 3 that can hold a 1 (hidden single).
- 5 goes in row 3, column 3: it is the only cell in row 3 that can hold a 5 (hidden single).
Show the answer to the February 16, 2026 expert Sudoku
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| 1 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 4 |
| 9 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 8 |
| 7 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 9 |
| 6 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 1 |
| 4 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 2 |
| 5 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 5 |
| 8 | 1 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 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 February 16 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