Difficulty
Easy
Sudoku technique guide
Naked Pair
When the easy moves slow down, one clear pattern can make the next step feel possible again. Naked Pair helps you spot what the grid is already telling you.
By the end, you will know what to notice, how the idea works and when it is worth using.
At a glance
Technique family
Naked subsets
Purpose
Removes candidates
Typical puzzle stage
Middle
Frequency
Common
Prerequisites
Candidate marks and Naked Singles
Why this technique matters
Naked Pairs are often the first subset technique that feels like real Sudoku logic. They make crowded candidate lists much easier to untangle.
The idea in plain English
A Naked Pair is two cells in the same row, column or box that contain the same two candidates and no others. Those two digits must occupy those two cells in some order.
How to recognise it
Two identical two-digit candidate lists are the visual signal. Treat the pair as reserving both digits for those two cells.
Pause when you see this shape. You do not have to force it; just check whether the pattern is complete.
How the logic unfolds
Think of this as a short conversation with the grid. Take one check at a time, and let each answer tell you what to inspect next.
Start by. Scan one unit for cells with exactly two candidates.
Then. Find two cells containing the same two digits.
Next. Confirm both cells are in the same unit and neither has an extra candidate.
Finally. Remove those two digits from every other cell in that unit.
When it usually appears
Look for it when a unit has several two-candidate cells and singles have run out.
Common traps
These are easy places to get turned around. They are useful checks, not signs that you are doing badly.
- Using two cells that share one candidate but not both. A Naked Pair must have the exact same two candidates.
- Removing candidates from a different row, column or box that does not contain both pair cells.
Frequently asked questions
Do the two digits have to be in order?
No. {2,7} and {7,2} are the same pair.
Can the pair be in a box?
Yes. A Naked Pair works in any one row, column or 3x3 box.
Quick takeaway
- A Naked Pair belongs to the naked subsets family.
- Its purpose is to remove candidates.
- Look for a complete pattern, not one that only nearly fits.
- It is most useful middle.
- Once you make the deduction, return to the simpler scans.