What is a naked pair?
A naked pair is two cells in one unit that contain the same two candidates and no others.
Pure Sudoku
Intermediate technique
Naked pairs clear candidates from a shared unit.
When two cells in one unit contain the same two candidates, those digits are reserved for the pair and can be removed from every other cell in that unit.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Pattern
- Two cells share the same two candidates
- Outcome
- Logical progress
Focused example
The pair 2 and 8 removes both candidates from the fourth cell.
The highlighted cells show the exact scope of the pattern. Read the candidates before making an elimination.
How it works
Apply the pattern in four checks.
- Find two cells in the same unit that contain exactly the same two candidates.
- Confirm the pair is limited to those two cells.
- Keep both candidates in the pair because their order is not yet known.
- Remove the paired digits from every other cell in that unit.
Know the difference
Use the pattern only when every condition is true.
A naked pair is identified by the contents of two cells. A hidden pair is identified by tracking where two digits can appear across the unit.
After the move, re-scan the affected unit for singles before searching for another advanced pattern.
Common mistake
Protect the logic before erasing a candidate.
The two cells must share a row, column, or box. Matching notes in unrelated units do not create a valid pair.
If any required condition is missing, leave the candidates in place and continue scanning.
Continue playing
Choose your next Sudoku route.
FAQ
Quick answers before you play.
What can a naked pair eliminate?
It removes both paired candidates from every other unsolved cell in the shared unit.
Can the pair be in a box?
Yes. Naked pairs work in any row, column, or 3×3 box.
Practice loop
Find it on a live board.
Pause when the board slows down, check the candidate conditions, make one justified move, and scan again.