How scoring works
Every score is calculated on our server from what it measured itself (your play time, mistakes and hints), so leaderboards are fair. Here is how a score is built.
The formula
Final score = (Points + Time bonus) × Accuracy × Hints × Perfect bonus × Mode
| Part | What it means |
|---|---|
| Points | Easy 100 · Medium 200 · Hard 350 · Expert 550 · Master 800 · Extreme 1,200 |
| Time bonus | Up to the same again for a fast solve. It starts draining after a set time per level and runs out completely later on. |
| Accuracy | 1 mistake ×0.95, 2 mistakes ×0.90, 3 mistakes ×0.80 |
| Hints | Each hint −10% |
| Perfect bonus | +10% with no mistakes and no hints |
| Mode | The Daily Challenge is worth ×1.25 |
The time bonus
The time bonus works like a countdown. Finish within the "full bonus" time and you keep all of it. After that it drains steadily (there are no sudden drops) until it reaches zero. While you play, the game screen shows the bonus still on offer under your score. For example, a Master puzzle keeps its full bonus for 18 minutes and loses it by 90 minutes.
Mistakes and continuing
Three mistakes normally end the game. Where available, you can choose to watch a short ad for one more chance. Each extra mistake lowers your accuracy by another 10% (×0.70, ×0.60 …), so a continued game can still be finished but scores less. When accuracy would reach zero, the game ends for good. Watching ads is always optional.
Examples (Master, 800 points)
| Solve | Time bonus | Mistakes / hints | Final score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15:00, perfect | +800 (all) | +10% perfect | 1,760 |
| 30:00, perfect | +667 | +10% perfect | 1,613 |
| 54:00, 1 mistake | +400 | ×0.95 | 1,140 |
| 95:00, 2 mistakes | 0 | ×0.90 | 720 |
Weekly tournament
Every solved puzzle (classic or Daily) adds its score to your total for the week. Weeks run Monday to Sunday. Ties are broken by the most Master and Extreme solves, then the fastest total time, then the fewest mistakes. The top three each week win gold, silver and bronze medals that stay on their profile for good. See the tournament page.
Fair play
Impossibly fast solves are rejected, and unusual patterns (such as perfectly regular move timing) are held for review before they count. Read more about Sudoku Arena.