The rest is normal Sudoku. Because every row, column and box has exactly one 9, these arrows turn into precise locators once you know how to count them.
Search 9 Sudoku rules in 30 seconds
- 1Every row, column and 3×3 box contains 1–9 exactly once.
- 2An arrow cell's digit is the exact distance to a 9 in the arrow's direction.
- 3Count from the next cell: the arrow cell itself is step zero.
- 4The cells between the arrow and the 9 can be anything legal.
See it on a board
Watch: how to play Search 9 Sudoku
Still not sure? Some puzzles click faster when you see them solved. This 13-minute video from SudokuManiacs shows Search 9 Sudoku in action.
Counting the distance
Start at the arrow cell and step into the next cell in the arrow's direction. That's distance 1. Keep going until you've taken as many steps as the arrow cell's digit. A 1 → means the 9 is right beside it; a 3 → means the 9 is the third cell to the right.
The edge limits the digit
An arrow must reach its 9 without leaving the board. If an arrow points right and only three cells are left before the edge, its digit can only be 1, 2 or 3. Arrows near an edge are often the strongest clues.
Work backwards
The rule runs in both directions. If you already know where a 9 is, count back to any arrow pointing at it: the number of steps is that arrow cell's digit.
Worked example
- 1An arrow cell points right with three cells between it and the edge, so its digit is 1, 2 or 3.
- 2Two of those three landing spots can't be 9 because their columns already have one.
- 3Only one landing spot is left, say the second cell. So the arrow cell is 2, and that cell is the row's 9.
Search 9 Sudoku tips and strategies
Start at the edges
Arrows close to the edge have the fewest possible distances.
Ask where 9 can go
Use rows, columns and boxes to eliminate 9 positions; the survivors fix the arrow's digit.
Count back from known 9s
Every known 9 can instantly solve arrows pointing at it.
Don't overthink the middle
The cells between an arrow and its 9 follow normal rules only.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Counting the arrow cell itself as step one.
- Allowing an arrow digit that would point off the board.
- Thinking the in-between cells must form a sequence.
Play Search 9 Sudoku in 10+ Number Puzzles
- Select an arrow cell and the app highlights the cell it points toward.
- Notes are especially useful in arrow cells, where the edge and possible 9s narrow the options.
- You have 3 lives. A wrong digit costs one, and Add Life can restore one when available.
- Five difficulty levels, each a ladder of stages from Easy to Genius.
- Go online for free: ranked 1v1 duels, rooms where you race, co-op or play in teams, and tournaments.
- 27 more puzzle types in the same app, and online play never costs coins.
Search 9 Sudoku FAQ
How does an arrow work in Search 9 Sudoku?
The digit in the arrow cell tells you how many cells away the 9 is, and the arrow tells you which way to count.
Does the arrow cell count as one of the steps?
No. Distance 1 is the very next cell in the arrow's direction.
Can two arrows point at the same 9?
Yes. As long as each arrow's distance lands exactly on it, several arrows can share a 9.
