Naked Pair Practice Puzzles

A Naked Pair is two cells in the same row, column, or box that contain only the same two candidates. Because those two digits must occupy those two cells, they can be eliminated from every other cell in that unit.

Every puzzle below is verified to feature the Naked Pair as its hardest required technique — of the 65,284 puzzles in our library, 34,358 require it and 2,381 need nothing harder. New to the pattern? Learn the Naked Pair or see a worked example first.

Curated Naked Pair puzzles

  1. Practice puzzle #1 — 25 givens · needs Naked Single, Naked Pair
  2. Practice puzzle #2 — 24 givens · needs Naked Single, Naked Pair
  3. Practice puzzle #3 — 25 givens · needs Naked Single, Naked Pair
  4. Practice puzzle #4 — 24 givens · needs Naked Single, Naked Pair
  5. Practice puzzle #5 — 26 givens · needs Naked Single, Naked Pair
  6. Practice puzzle #6 — 22 givens · needs Naked Single, Naked Pair
  7. Practice puzzle #7 — 26 givens · needs Naked Single, Naked Pair
  8. Practice puzzle #8 — 24 givens · needs Naked Single, Naked Pair
  9. Practice puzzle #9 — 25 givens · needs Naked Single, Naked Pair
  10. Practice puzzle #10 — 25 givens · needs Naked Single, Naked Pair
  11. Practice puzzle #11 — 25 givens · needs Naked Single, Naked Pair
  12. Practice puzzle #12 — 25 givens · needs Naked Single, Naked Pair
Get a fresh Naked Pair puzzle →

Naked Pair practice FAQ

How many Sudoku puzzles require the Naked Pair technique?
Of the 65,284 puzzles in the Precision Sudoku library, 34,358 require the Naked Pair to solve, and 2,381 can be completed with nothing harder than the Naked Pair. Every puzzle is verified by a solver that records the exact techniques needed.
What is the best way to practice the Naked Pair?
Play puzzles where the Naked Pair is the hardest move required, so every sticking point is an opportunity to apply it. Use it when singles dry up. A Naked Pair does not place a digit; it removes candidates, often opening up new singles.
Can I play a Sudoku puzzle that needs exactly the Naked Pair?
Yes. The curated puzzles on this page all feature the Naked Pair as their most advanced required technique, and the practice button serves a fresh puzzle from the same verified pool whenever you want another.