---
title: "Naked Pair: Two cells reserve two digits"
description: "A Naked Pair has two cells in one row, column or box with only the same two candidates. Remove those digits from the other cells in that area."
lang: "en"
canonical: "https://unisu-sudoku.app/en/sudoku-techniques/naked-pair/"
---

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Core techniques

# Naked Pair: Two cells reserve two digits

Two cells in one row, column or box form a Naked Pair when their complete candidates contain only the same two digits. Those digits can be removed from the other cells in that area.

![Unisu lesson on Naked Pair, showing the explained grid](https://unisu-sudoku.app/_astro/en.CHGX2vS0_Z1lbzTz.webp)

Two cells in one row, column or box form a Naked Pair when their complete candidates contain only the same two digits. Those digits can be removed from the other cells in that area.

## An example from the app

The 2 highlighted cells A8, H8 have only these candidates between them: 8, 9. Their complete notes are shown.

Those 2 digits must occupy those 2 cells. They are reserved there in row 8, so they cannot appear in the other cells of that area.

These notes are therefore ruled out: I8: 8, 9.

The image shows the candidates relevant to this step. A note being hidden does not mean it has been logically eliminated.

## Practice the next step

The eliminations are outside the pair. Similar notes with an extra possibility do not meet the condition.

In the app, follow the reasoning in the matching lesson and try a task yourself. With a new puzzle, always start from its actual candidate state.

## Questions about Naked Pair

### What makes two cells a Naked Pair?

Both cells have exactly the same two candidates and share a row, column or box.

### Must the cells be next to each other?

No. They must share an area; physical closeness alone is irrelevant.

### Where can I eliminate the two digits?

From other cells in the shared area. The pair itself keeps both possibilities.

### What if one cell has a third candidate?

It does not satisfy this Naked Pair. You cannot ignore a hidden or forgotten note.

### How is Hidden Pair different?

Two digits are restricted to the same two cells. Those cells may initially contain additional candidates.

## Keep practicing in Unisu

Download Unisu for iPhone or Android. Solve a puzzle or work through a guided lesson on the technique.

-   [Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6775824061?l=en)
-   [Get it on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.unisu.sudoku&hl=en)

## Useful before this guide

### Sudoku pencil marks: track and update candidates

[Read more: Sudoku pencil marks: track and update candidates](https://unisu-sudoku.app/en/sudoku-techniques/pencil-marks/)

### Naked Single

[Read more: Naked Single](https://unisu-sudoku.app/en/sudoku-techniques/naked-single/)

## Where to go next

Core techniques

Unisu · Oct 27, 2026

### [Hidden Pair: Two digits have just two places](https://unisu-sudoku.app/en/sudoku-techniques/hidden-pair/)

If two digits can appear only in the same two cells of an area, they form a Hidden Pair. Other candidates can be removed from those two cells.

Unisu

### [Learn Sudoku: a path from rules to techniques – Unisu](https://unisu-sudoku.app/en/learn/)

Start with the rules, get comfortable with pencil marks and choose a technique for the situation you’re working on.

Download app

## Ready for a puzzle? Take a moment.

Download Unisu on your phone. Start a Sudoku or choose a lesson on the technique you want to understand.

-   [Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6775824061?l=en)
-   [Get it on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.unisu.sudoku&hl=en)

![The daily challenge in Unisu](https://unisu-sudoku.app/_astro/en.C-sYR9hJ_1QwI9G.webp)

![A classic Sudoku game in Unisu](https://unisu-sudoku.app/_astro/en.C6DJ1kiE_2dRWDN.webp)