Sudoku Solving Time Calculator

Work out sudoku solving time instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Sudoku Solving Time Calculator

Empty cells are 81 minus the givens, and the estimate multiplies your easy-grid pace per cell by a difficulty factor drawn from the technique depth each rating requires. Fewer givens does not automatically mean harder: a 17 given puzzle can be routine, while difficulty rating reflects which solving techniques are actually required.

Formulas

Cells to fill

empty cells = 81 - given numbers

Estimated time

seconds = empty cells x your seconds per cell x difficulty factor

Worked example

With the default values below, Sudoku Solving Time Calculator returns Estimated solving time of 11.73. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Given numbers on the gridaccepts 17–80: 26
Rated difficultyone of Easy, Medium, Hard, Expert: Medium
Your seconds per cell on an easy gridminimum 0.5 s: 8 s

Results

Estimated solving time: 11.73 min
Time as minutes and seconds: 11:44
Empty cells to fill: 55
Effective seconds per cell: 12.80 s

Step by step

1Values used
2Cells to fill
3Estimated time
4Estimated solving time= 11.73 min
5Time as minutes and seconds= 11:44
6Empty cells to fill= 55
7Effective seconds per cell= 12.80 s

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Sudoku Solving Time figure worked out?

empty cells = 81 - given numbers. Empty cells are 81 minus the givens, and the estimate multiplies your easy-grid pace per cell by a difficulty factor drawn from the technique depth each rating requires.

Why does this matter?

Fewer givens does not automatically mean harder: a 17 given puzzle can be routine, while difficulty rating reflects which solving techniques are actually required.

What do I need to enter?

Enter given numbers on the grid, rated difficulty, your seconds per cell on an easy grid. The defaults shown are a realistic worked example — swap in your own figures to get a result you can use.