Naked Pair

Interactive Tutorial

A Naked Pair occurs when two cells in the same unit contain exactly the same two candidates — and only those two. Since these digits must go in these two cells, they can be eliminated from all other cells in that unit.

How It Works

The Pattern

Look for two cells in the same row, column, or box where:

• Both cells have exactly two candidates
• Both cells have the same two candidates

The Logic

If two cells both contain only {3, 7}, then:

• One cell must be 3, the other must be 7
• No other cell in that unit can be 3 or 7

You can eliminate 3 and 7 from every other cell in the shared unit.

Example

Look at Row 1. Two cells stand out:

• R1C2: candidates {1, 6}
• R1C3: candidates {1, 6}

Both cells have exactly the same two candidates. One must be 1, the other must be 6. Since they share Row 1 and Box 1, we can eliminate 1 and 6 from other cells in both units.

Eliminations: Remove 1 from R1C4, R1C5, and R3C1. Remove 6 from R1C5 and R1C6.

puzzle: S9B041f1f113p3o0903085u03024i0904011u3m5v0905036r36020436030743064k094i4l040502094a4a01060703064304074k034i09110905070t1p08031h1h434z03093p3o045h1x02044z0z031u075f09
mode: guided
technique: Naked Pair
initial:
  layers:
    hints: true
    focus: true
  focus:
    enabled: true
    digits: [1, 6]
    biValue: true
steps:
  - text: >
      Look at Row 1. Can you spot two cells with the same two candidates?
    state:
      selection:
        cell: R1C1
      focus:
        enabled: true
        digits: [1, 6]
        biValue: true

  - text: >
      R1C2 and R1C3 both contain only {1, 6}. This is a Naked Pair!
    hint: subtle
    technique: NP
    state:
      selection:
        cells: [R1C2, R1C3]
      focus:
        enabled: true
        digits: [1, 6]

  - text: >
      One cell must be 1, the other must be 6. No other cell in Row 1 or Box 1 can have these digits.
    hint: obvious
    technique: NP
    state:
      focus:
        enabled: true
        digits: [1, 6]

  - text: >
      Remove 1 from R1C4, R1C5, and R3C1. Remove 6 from R1C5 and R1C6.
    hint: detailed
    technique: NP
settings:
  showCandidates: true
  showControls: true
  showDescription: true
  navigation: numbered

Tips

1. Scan bi-value cells — Cells with exactly two candidates are your starting point
2. Check all three unit types — Pairs can appear in rows, columns, or boxes
3. Remember box overlaps — A pair in a row might also share a box, giving extra eliminations

Common Mistakes

• Missing the match — Both cells must have exactly the same candidates
• Forgetting units — Check row, column, and box for eliminations
• Confusing with Hidden Pair — Naked pairs show their candidates openly; hidden pairs are obscured by extra candidates

More Puzzles

• Naked Pair ex. 1
• Naked Pair ex. 2
• Naked Pair ex. 3
• Naked Pair ex. 4
• Naked Pair ex. 5
• Naked Pair ex. 6
• Naked Pair ex. 7
• Naked Pair ex. 8
• Naked Pair ex. 9
• Naked Pair ex. 10
• Naked Pair ex. 11

Related Techniques

• Naked Single — One candidate in one cell
• Naked Triple — Three cells with three candidates
• Hidden Pair — Same elimination, different perspective