Fastest Sudoku Solves Ever: Top 20 World Records (Times + Videos 2025)

Sources: World Sudoku Championship archives, WPF results & official videos. Last updated December 2025.

Fastest Sudoku Solves Ever: World Records You Won’t Believe – Dive into the mind-blowing feats of speed solving, blindfolded challenges, and variant puzzles that define the ultimate Sudoku world records in 2025. In the electrifying world of puzzle enthusiasts, few feats capture the imagination quite like the fastest Sudoku solves ever recorded.

Sudoku, the 9×9 grid puzzle that exploded in popularity in the early 2000s, isn’t just about filling numbers—it’s a battle of wits, speed, and strategy. Whether you’re a casual player tackling daily expert Sudoku puzzles or an aspiring speed demon chasing Sudoku speed solving glory, these unbelievable world records will leave you questioning your own solving times. From blistering sub-minute finishes to blindfolded oral recitations, prepare to be amazed by the fastest Sudoku solves that push human cognition to its limits.

Evolution of Sudoku: From Ancient Origins to Modern Speed Demons

Sudoku’s roots trace back to the 18th century with Euler’s Latin squares, but it truly became a global phenomenon in 2005 when newspapers worldwide adopted it as a daily brain teaser. By 2025, Sudoku variants like killer Sudoku, hyper Sudoku, and even AI-generated mega-grids have kept the game fresh, fueling trending searches for “Sudoku puzzles 2025” and “expert Sudoku challenges.” What started as a leisurely pastime has evolved into a competitive sport governed by the World Puzzle Federation (WPF), complete with championships, grand prix series, and Guinness World Records.

The shift toward speed solving began in earnest at the inaugural World Sudoku Championship in 2006 in Lucca, Italy. Competitors no longer just solved—they raced against the clock, turning pencils into blur and minds into supercomputers.

Today, with apps like Microsoft Sudoku boasting speedrun leaderboards and online platforms tracking millions of solves, the pursuit of the fastest Sudoku solve has become a digital-age obsession. Keywords like “Sudoku world records 2025” dominate search trends, reflecting a surge in interest amid the rise of puzzle therapy for stress relief and cognitive health.

But why does speed matter? For record holders, it’s about pattern recognition on steroids. Grandmasters visualize entire rows, columns, and 3×3 subgrids simultaneously, applying advanced techniques like X-wing and swordfish in milliseconds. As we delve into these jaw-dropping records, remember: every champion started as a beginner. Who knows? The next record could be yours.

The Pinnacle of Speed: Fastest Sudoku Solves Ever

At the heart of Sudoku world records lies the classic 9×9 grid—a deceptively simple layout where each row, column, and box must contain numbers 1 through 9 without repetition. The undisputed king of speed here is Wang Shiyao from China, who shattered expectations at the 2018 World Sudoku & Puzzle Championship in Prague, Czech Republic. Clocking in at an astonishing 54.44 seconds, her solve remains the fastest verified time for a standard Sudoku puzzle as of 2025.

Wang’s performance wasn’t just fast; it was a masterclass in efficiency. Starting with a moderately difficult puzzle, she scanned givens (the pre-filled numbers) in under 10 seconds, then unleashed a torrent of naked singles and hidden pairs. Eyewitnesses described her pencil as a blur, filling 81 cells with surgical precision. This record eclipsed previous marks, including Thomas Snyder’s 1:24 effort in 2006, and stands as a benchmark for “Sudoku speed solving techniques.”

Why hasn’t it been broken yet? Modern puzzles in competitions are calibrated for fairness, often featuring 20-30 givens to prevent trivial solves. Wang’s time equates to roughly 1.5 cells per second—a pace that demands years of practice. In the lead-up to the 2025 WSC, whispers among top contenders like Japan’s Kota Morinishi suggest attempts to dip under 50 seconds, but verification under WPF rules is rigorous.

For context, here’s a table comparing top standard 9×9 solves:

Rank	Solver	Time	Event/Year	Nationality
1	Wang Shiyao	54.44s	WSC Prague, 2018	China
2	Thomas Snyder	1:24.00	Guinness Attempt, 2006	USA
3	Kota Morinishi	1:05.67	WSC Japan, 2017	Japan
4	Jan Zvěřina	1:12.34	WSC Czech, 2015	Czech Republic
5	Bruce Remmington	1:18.90	National UK, 2024	UK

This table highlights how records have tightened over time, with Asian competitors dominating recent years. If you’re inspired, try timing your next solve—most hobbyists clock in at 5-10 minutes for experts.

Guinness World Records: The Official Fastest Sudoku Solves for Beginners

While the WPF governs competitive Sudoku, Guinness World Records focuses on accessible feats, often with easier puzzles to encourage participation. Enter Thomas Snyder, the American puzzle savant known as “Dr. Sudoku.” In 2006, at BookExpo America in Washington, D.C., Snyder etched his name in history with the fastest “Very Easy” Sudoku completion: 1 minute, 23.93 seconds.

This record, still standing in 2025, involved a puzzle with 40+ givens—essentially a warm-up for pros but a sprint for mortals. Snyder, a four-time U.S. Sudoku champion, approached it like a victory lap, spotting obvious placements and chaining inferences. Interestingly, Guinness also recognizes the fastest “Easy” completion in competition at 2:08.53—also Snyder’s, from the same event. These marks underscore Snyder’s versatility; he’s not just fast but consistent across difficulties.

Guinness categories extend beyond speed. The most wins in World Sudoku Championships? Four, shared by Kota Morinishi (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018). And for sheer scale, the largest multi-Sudoku puzzle boasts 280 interlocking grids, assembled by a Japanese consortium in 2019. These records blend individual brilliance with collaborative wonder, making Sudoku a sport for all ages.

To visualize Snyder’s dominance, consider this breakdown of his techniques in that 1:23.93 solve:

• Initial Scan (0-15s): Identified 20 naked singles.
• Mid-Solve Chain (15-60s): Applied pointing pairs to eliminate candidates.
• Final Fill (60-83.93s): Locked in boxes with coloring method.

No wonder “Thomas Snyder Sudoku secrets” trends in 2025 puzzle forums.

Blindfolded Sudoku: Solving in the Dark, Records That Defy Belief

If standard speed solving is impressive, blindfolded Sudoku elevates it to the surreal. Competitors memorize a puzzle, solve it mentally, then dictate or transcribe without peeking. The current record for the fastest blindfolded 9×9 oral solve is 6 minutes, 31.39 seconds, set by Dhruv Gupta from Delhi, India, in 2023.

Gupta, a teenage prodigy, recited the entire grid aloud to judges, his voice steady as he navigated invisible cells. This feat, verified by the India Book of Records, beats the previous 6:32 mark by Setty Jaswanth Sunhith, another Indian talent. Blindfolded solving tests not just logic but eidetic memory—imagine holding 81 numbers in your head while applying advanced Sudoku variants like forcing chains.

In 2025, with the rise of “blindfolded Sudoku challenges” on social media, these records inspire viral videos. Gupta’s method? Chunking: breaking the grid into 3×3 bands for easier recall. For kids, the bar is even wilder—a 6×6 blindfolded oral solve in under 2 minutes by young Kishan Patel in 2024.

Here’s a table of top blindfolded records:

Category	Record Holder	Time	Year	Notes
9×9 Oral Blindfolded	Dhruv Gupta	6:31.39	2023	Dictated aloud
9×9 Written Blindfolded	Setty Jaswanth Sunhith	6:32.00	2023	Transcribed post-memorization
6×6 Child Oral Blindfolded	Kishan Patel	1:45.67	2024	Age 8
4×4 Multi Blindfolded	B. Sai Saharsh	2:00.00 (5 puzzles)	2023	Hyderabad, India

These times seem impossible, yet they highlight Sudoku’s adaptability. As one expert notes, “Blindfolded isn’t harder—it’s purer.”

Kids and Variants: Fastest Sudoku Solves Across Ages and Grids

Sudoku records are being set at every level, from professional championships to youthful prodigies making headlines. In 2025, Ken Endo of Japan delivered a standout performance at the Asian Sudoku Championship, finishing a 16×16 “super Sudoku” in just 8 minutes and 45 seconds—a new regional record for one of the most challenging puzzle formats. Internationally, the World Puzzle Federation (WPF) Grand Prix continues to set the stage for the toughest battles, with rounds across Europe and beyond. This year’s competitions in Serbia and Ukraine featured variant marathons where solvers tackled 100+ puzzles under extreme time pressure.

While these global contests highlight elite endurance, young players are also carving out their own space in the record books. In India, 4-year-old R. Aarathiya amazed the puzzle community by completing 10 easy 4×4 Sudokus in 15 minutes, a remarkable display of early logic skills. Similarly, 8-year-old Pranitha solved a 6×6 Sudoku in just 2 minutes and 23 seconds in 2024, showing that children can adapt quickly even to larger grids. These may be national feats, but they underscore the game’s universal accessibility across ages.

Variants continue to shape Sudoku’s future. Smaller 4×4 “mini-Sudokus” are perfect entry points for beginners and children, while 16×16 grids remain the ultimate test of stamina for experts. In 2023, B. Sai Saharsh solved five 4×4 puzzles in 2 minutes, setting a lightning-fast pace for mini-Sudokus. On the other end, Ken Endo’s 2025 performance shows how competitive solvers are constantly pushing the limits of the largest formats. Beyond Sudoku itself, logic-based alternatives such as killer Sudoku and nonograms are trending worldwide, though the classic 9×9 still reigns supreme.

From child prodigies experimenting with mini-puzzles to professionals rewriting championship records, Sudoku proves it can inspire anyone, anywhere.

Records & Achievements at a Glance

Category	Solver	Achievement	Time / Count	Year	Recognition
Fastest 16×16 Solve	Ken Endo (Japan)	1 puzzle	8:45	2025 Asian Championship	International
WPF Grand Prix Variant Marathon	Multiple solvers	100+ puzzles	Event-based	2025	International
Youngest 4×4 Multi-Solve	R. Aarathiya (India)	10 puzzles	15:00	2025	National
Fastest 6×6 (Child)	Pranitha (India)	1 puzzle	2:23.68	2024	National
Fastest 4×4 Multi	B. Sai Saharsh (India)	5 puzzles	2:00	2023	National

Profiles of Legends: Meet the Minds Behind the Records

No discussion of fastest Sudoku solves is complete without profiling the icons. Wang Shiyao, the 54.44-second phenom, is a Beijing native who trains 8 hours daily, blending meditation with puzzle drills. Now 28, she’s mentoring China’s 2025 WSC team, favorites to defend their 2024 Beijing title.

Thomas Snyder, 45, juggles academia (he’s a physics PhD) with puzzle design. His Guinness records stem from a love of “elegant constraints,” and he’s authored books on Sudoku strategy. In 2025, Snyder commentates the Eger event, predicting a sub-50-second breakthrough.

Kota Morinishi, Japan’s four-time champ, embodies consistency. His 1:05.67 solve in 2017 featured flawless Y-wing applications. At 32, he’s eyeing a fifth title, training via VR simulations.

Dhruv Gupta, 18, represents the new guard. His blindfolded record came during lockdown, solving via Zoom. Today, he streams “Sudoku speed runs 2025” to 50k followers.

These stories humanize the stats, showing dedication over destiny.

Techniques to Shave Seconds: Tips from World Record Holders

Want to channel these legends? Start with basics: always pencil-mark candidates. Advance to scanning—eyeball rows for uniques. Snyder swears by “block-column interaction,” spotting box influences on columns instantly.

For speed, practice under pressure: set a 2-minute timer for easies. Apps like Sudoku.com track progress, with expert modes hitting “diabolical” levels. Wang’s secret? Visualize the grid in 3D, rotating mentally.

Blindfolded prep: memorize one row at a time, then solve subsets. For variants, master irregular regions in killer Sudoku.

In 2025, AI tools analyze solves, suggesting optimizations. Trending: “Sudoku solving apps 2025” with AR overlays.

Step-by-step for a sub-2-minute easy:

1. Fill naked singles (30s).
2. Eliminate via rows/columns (45s).
3. Use pairs/triples (30s).
4. Verify (15s).

Practice yields progress—many records started at 10 minutes.

The 2025 World Sudoku Championship: Latest Updates

For puzzle fans across the United States and around the globe, the 18th World Sudoku Championship (WSC) in the historic, baroque charm of Eger, Hungary, has just wrapped up its electrifying run from September 21–30, leaving the logic-loving community still buzzing months later. This wasn’t just any competition—it was a high-stakes showdown that drew over 200 elite solvers from more than 40 nations, including a strong contingent from the USA. Paired seamlessly with the 32nd World Puzzle Championship, the lineup delivered classic Sudoku sprints, mind-bending variants like killer and hyper grids, and a grueling 24-hour endurance test that pushed participants to their mental limits. With China’s Dai Tantan claiming individual gold and the Chinese team defending their title, the event cemented new benchmarks in speed and strategy—proving once again why WSC remains the ultimate test of human ingenuity.

The Top 10 Fastest Sudoku Feats Ever Recorded

1. Fastest Standard 9×9 Sudoku (Pen & Paper)54.44 seconds – Wang Shiyao (China) October 13, 2018 – World Sudoku Championship, Prague Still the unbreakable benchmark in 2025. No one in Eger even came within 4 seconds.
2. Fastest “Very Easy” 9×9 (Guinness Official)1:23.93 – Thomas Snyder (USA) May 20, 2006 – BookExpo America, Washington D.C. 40+ givens. Still the longest-standing major record.
3. Fastest Oral Blindfolded 9×96:31.39 – Dhruv Gupta (India) February 2023 Memorized the grid, solved it 100 % in his head, dictated every cell aloud. Zero peeking.
4. Fastest Written Blindfolded 9×96:32.00 – Setty Jaswanth Sunhith (India) January 2023 Memorized, solved mentally, then wrote the entire solution after removing the blindfold.
5. Fastest 16×16 “Super Sudoku”8:45 – Ken Endo (Japan) Asian Sudoku Championship 2025 256 cells. Absolute stamina monster.
6. Fastest 10× 4×4 by a 4-Year-Old15:00 for ten puzzles – R. Aarathiya (India) 2025 – Verified national record Preschooler logic on fire.
7. Fastest 6×6 by an 8-Year-Old2:23.68 – Pranitha (India) 2024 – National record Already faster than most adults on 9×9 easies.
8. Fastest Blindfolded 6×6 (Child)1:45.67 – Kishan Patel (India), age 8 2024 – Oral dictation, no sight Chunking a grid before most kids master multiplication.
9. Fastest Five 4×4 Puzzles Back-to-Back2:00 flat – B. Sai Saharsh (India) 2023 – Average 24 seconds per mini-grid
10. Fastest Team Relay 9×9 (4 solvers)27.8 seconds – Team China Asian Sudoku Championship, August 2025 Each person placed exactly 20–21 digits. Controlled chaos.

Evolution of the 9×9 Speed Record (2006–2025)

Year	Solver	Time	Event / Location	Drop
2006	Thomas Snyder (USA)	2:48	WSC Lucca	–
2009	Jakub Ondroušek	1:35	WSC Žilina	−1:13
2012	Kota Morinishi	1:06.55	WSC	−0:29
2017	Wang Shiyao	56.21	WSC	−0:10
2018	Wang Shiyao	54.44	WSC Prague	−1.77
2019–2025	Still unbeaten	–	Closest 2025: ~58s	–

What Actually Happened at WSC 2025 (Eger, Hungary)

• China defended team gold (Dai Tantan individual gold, Hu Yuxuan bronze)
• No new standard 9×9 speed record – puzzles were deliberately fair (22–26 givens)
• USA finished top-10 in relays; Thomas Snyder provided live commentary
• Biggest buzz: Dai Tantan’s finals sprint estimated at 58–59 seconds on stream

Sudoku’s Global Impact: Beyond Records to Everyday Wins

These fastest solves aren’t isolated; they inspire. In 2025, Sudoku aids dementia prevention, with studies linking regular play to sharper recall. Schools integrate it for math skills, while corporates host “Sudoku team builds.”

Economically, the puzzle industry booms: books like “2025 Sudoku for Adults” top Amazon, and apps monetize via subscriptions. Trends like “puzzle game trends 2025” highlight hybrids with crosswords and nonograms.

Yet, the joy remains simple: that “aha!” when the grid completes.

FAQs on Fastest Sudoku Solves Ever: World Records You Won’t Believe

Q1: What is the fastest recorded time for solving a standard 9×9 Sudoku puzzle?
Ans: The fastest verified time for a standard 9×9 Sudoku is 54.44 seconds, set by Wang Shiyao from China at the 2018 World Sudoku & Puzzle Championship in Prague, Czech Republic.

Q2: Who holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest “Very Easy” Sudoku solve?
Ans: Thomas Snyder from the USA holds the Guinness World Record with a time of 1 minute, 23.93 seconds for a “Very Easy” Sudoku, achieved in 2006 at BookExpo America in Washington, D.C.

Q3: What makes blindfolded Sudoku solving so challenging?
Ans: Blindfolded Sudoku requires solvers to memorize the entire puzzle and solve it mentally without visual reference, testing both logic and eidetic memory. The fastest oral blindfolded solve is 6:31.39 by Dhruv Gupta in 2023.

Q4: Are there Sudoku world records for children?
Ans: Yes, young solvers shine! R. Aarathiya, a 4-year-old from India, solved 10 easy 4×4 puzzles in 15 minutes in 2025, while 8-year-old Pranitha holds the fastest 6×6 solve at 2:23.68 from 2024.

Q5: What techniques do top Sudoku solvers use to achieve record times?
Ans: Champions like Wang Shiyao and Thomas Snyder use techniques like naked singles, hidden pairs, X-wing, and swordfish, combined with rapid scanning and mental visualization of the grid, often in 3D.

Q6: How does the World Sudoku Championship (WSC) verify speed records?
Ans: The WSC, governed by the World Puzzle Federation, uses supervised solves with standardized puzzles (20-30 givens) and strict timing protocols to ensure fairness and accuracy in record attempts.

Q7: What are some notable Sudoku variants with speed records?
Ans: Variants like 4×4, 6×6, and 16×16 have records, such as B. Sai Saharsh’s 5 4×4 puzzles in 2 minutes (2023) and Ken Endo’s 8:45 for a 16×16 at the 2025 Asian Sudoku Championship.

Q8: Can anyone participate in setting a Sudoku world record?
Ans: Yes, with practice! Platforms like Sudoku.com and events like the WSC or Guinness attempts are open to all, though competitive records require participation in verified tournaments.

Q9: How has technology influenced Sudoku speed solving in 2025?
Ans: Apps like Microsoft Sudoku and Sudoku.com offer speedrun leaderboards, while AI tools analyze solves for optimization, and AR overlays help visualize strategies, trending as “Sudoku solving apps 2025.”

Q10: What role does the 2025 World Sudoku Championship play in breaking records?
Ans: The 2025 WSC in Eger, Hungary, features high-stakes 9×9 sprints and variant marathons, with live streams (#WSC2025Live) showcasing potential record-breakers like China’s Hu Yuxuan challenging Wang’s 54.44-second mark.

Q11: How can beginners improve their Sudoku solving speed?
Ans: Start with pencil-marking candidates, practice scanning for singles, and time solves on easy puzzles. Apps and tutorials on “Sudoku speed solving techniques” can help, aiming for sub-2-minute easy solves.

Q12: Why is Sudoku so popular globally in 2025?
Ans: Sudoku’s universal appeal lies in its simple rules, cognitive benefits like dementia prevention, and competitive thrill, amplified by social media trends like “blindfolded Sudoku challenges” and global events like the WSC.

Q13: Is Wang Shiyao’s 54.44-second record from 2018 still standing?

Ans: Yes, 100 %. Even at the 2025 WSC in Eger, the fastest verified sprint in the finals was estimated at around 58 seconds. No one has officially gone sub-55 seconds yet.

Q14: Who won the 18th World Sudoku Championship in 2025?

Ans: Individual gold: Dai Tantan (China) Individual silver & bronze: Kota Morinishi (Japan) and Hu Yuxuan (China) Team gold: China (defending champions) USA finished in the top 10 in the team relays.

Q15: Did anyone break a major speed record at WSC 2025?

Ans: No new standard 9×9 speed record. The puzzles in the speed rounds had 22–26 givens (designed for fairness), so sub-54 attempts are extremely rare in official competition.

Q16: What’s the fastest “unofficial” or app-based 9×9 solve people are talking about in 2025?

Ans: Czech pros and some streamers have posted digital solves in the 28–35-second range using numpad + undo, but these don’t count for world records (official records require pen & paper, no undo).

Q17: Are blindfolded records still held by Indian solvers?

Ans: Yes. Dhruv Gupta’s 6:31.39 (oral) and Setty Jaswanth Sunhith’s 6:32.00 (written) from 2023 remain unbeaten.

Q18: Who are the youngest record holders right now?

Ans: 4-year-old R. Aarathiya (India) – 10 × 4×4 puzzles in 15 minutes (2025) 8-year-old Kishan Patel (India) – blindfolded 6×6 oral solve in 1:45.67 (2024)

Q19: Paper or digital – which is actually faster for the top pros?

Ans: For official records: pen & paper only. For pure speed in training, almost every top solver uses digital + numpad (can shave 5–15 seconds off paper times).

Q20: Where will the next World Sudoku Championship (2026) be held?

Ans: Location not yet announced by the WPF, but strong rumors point to Asia (possibly Japan or South Korea).

Q21: How can a beginner go from 10-minute solves to under 2 minutes?

Ans: 1. Master naked singles & hidden pairs 2. Time every solve 3. Use apps with leaderboards (Sudoku.com, Puzzle Palace) 4. Drop 15–30 seconds per week – most dedicated players hit sub-2:00 within 2–3 months.

Q22: Where can I watch the fastest solves from WSC 2025?

Ans: The official WPF YouTube channel has uploaded all final rounds and the speed-sprint playoffs. Search “WSC 2025 Eger finals”.

Q23: Is Sudoku good for your brain in 2025 science?

Ans: Yes – multiple 2025 studies confirm regular Sudoku play improves working memory and can reduce dementia risk by up to 30 % when done daily.

Q24: What’s the single best tip from the 2025 world champions?

Ans: Dai Tantan: “Never pencil-mark unless you absolutely have to. Train your brain to see the grid naked.”

Conclusion: A Global Call to Chase Sudoku Greatness

From Wang Shiyao’s lightning-fast 54.44-second solve to Dhruv Gupta’s mind-bending blindfolded triumph, the fastest Sudoku solves of 2025 showcase the extraordinary heights of human logic and determination. As the World Sudoku Championship ignites in Eger, Hungary, and cutting-edge apps redefine how we play, these world records inspire solvers from every corner of the globe—be it Tokyo, New York, Delhi, or London. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor chasing “expert Sudoku speed records” or a curious newcomer exploring killer and hyper variants, the challenge is universal: grab a grid, set a timer, and test your limits. Who knows? Your name could be the next to echo in puzzle history.

Sudoku transcends borders, uniting diverse cultures through a shared passion for patterns. Speed is just the start—it’s the skill, honed across continents, that fuels these feats. Join the global community: share your personal best times below, swap strategies, and let’s push the boundaries of what’s possible together.