---
title: "Naked Triple: Three cells share three candidates"
description: "A Naked Triple has three cells in one area with just three different candidates between them. Remove those digits from the other cells in that area."
lang: "en"
canonical: "https://unisu-sudoku.app/en/sudoku-techniques/naked-triple/"
---

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Core techniques

# Naked Triple: Three cells share three candidates

A Naked Triple is three cells in one area whose candidates together contain exactly three digits. Those digits are reserved for the group and can be removed elsewhere in that area.

![Unisu lesson on Naked Triple, showing the explained grid](https://unisu-sudoku.app/_astro/en.CEqNLwzB_2tfEst.webp)

A Naked Triple is three cells in one area whose candidates together contain exactly three digits. Those digits are reserved for the group and can be removed elsewhere in that area.

## An example from the app

The 3 highlighted cells D4, G4, H4 have only these candidates between them: 6, 8, 9. Their complete notes are shown.

Those 3 digits must occupy those 3 cells. They are reserved there in row 4, so they cannot appear in the other cells of that area.

These notes are therefore ruled out: C4: 9; F4: 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

Each cell does not need all three candidates. The combined set matters, rather than identical notes in every cell.

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 Triple

### Must every Naked Triple cell have three candidates?

No. Cells can contain different subsets. Their complete candidates together must contain exactly three distinct digits.

### Must all three cells share an area?

Yes. The reservation applies within one row, column or box, not across arbitrary cells.

### Where are candidates eliminated?

From other cells in the shared area. Do not remove the reserved digits from the triple itself.

### Can the group include a fourth possible digit?

No. A genuine fourth candidate digit invalidates this Naked Triple.

### How does Hidden Triple differ?

Naked Triple begins with three cells and their candidates. Hidden Triple begins with three digits and their possible positions.

## 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

### Naked Pair

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

## Where to go next

Core techniques

Unisu · Oct 27, 2026

### [Hidden Triple: Three digits confined to three cells](https://unisu-sudoku.app/en/sudoku-techniques/hidden-triple/)

A Hidden Triple occurs when three digits have only three possible cells between them in a row, column or box. Extra candidates in those cells can be removed.

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)