Naked Pair
Two cells in the same house contain exactly the same two candidates.
Also known as: Disjoint Pair, Naked Twin, Pair Subset
Quick Summary
When two cells within the same row, column, or box contain only the exact same two candidates {A, B}, those two digits are locked into those two cells and can be eliminated from all other cells in that house.
Understanding the Naked Pair Technique
A Naked Pair is the simplest subset technique in Sudoku. If two cells in a house have candidate sets restricted strictly to {A, B}, one of them must be A and the other must be B. We don't yet know which is which, but we know with 100% certainty that neither A nor B can appear anywhere else in that common house.
Visual Examples
Green cells highlight the Naked Pair pattern, amber cells denote where candidates are affected, and struck-through pencil marks show the eliminations. Use the buttons or arrow keys to browse examples.
How to Spot & Solve a Naked Pair (Step-by-Step Guide)
The complete visual scanning and logical deduction process to execute this technique:
- 1Find two cells in the same row, column, or 3×3 box that each contain only the exact same two candidates (e.g. 3 and 7).
- 2Notice that if the first cell turns out to be 3, the second cell is forced to be 7.
- 3Conversely, if the first cell turns out to be 7, the second is forced to be 3.
- 4In either outcome, those two digits are completely accounted for by those two cells.
- 5Erase both candidate digits from all other unsolved cells sharing that same row, column, or box.
Common Traps & Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying eliminations across houses that the pair does not mutually share. (For example, if the pair shares a box, eliminations only apply inside that box unless they also share a row or column).
- Assuming the two cells must be adjacent. Naked pairs can be separated across opposite sides of a row or column.
- Overlooking naked pairs because one cell was partially obscured by missing pencil marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the two cells of a Naked Pair have to touch?
No. They only need to be in the same house (same row, same column, or same 3×3 box). They can be on opposite ends of a row.
What if the two cells share both a row and a box?
Then you get a double bonus! You can eliminate both candidates from the remaining cells of the row AND from the remaining cells of the box.
Can a Naked Pair have three candidates?
No. If cells have three candidates, you are dealing with a Naked Triple or an incomplete pair.
Related Solving Techniques
Expand your repertoire by learning prerequisites and advanced counterparts:
Ready to Practice Naked Pair?
Try a puzzle in the Medium tier (Peak Score 31–40), or browse all 25 techniques.