---
title: "XY-Wing: A pivot and two wings"
description: "An XY-Wing connects a pivot cell X/Y to two cells it sees, X/Z and Y/Z. Whichever digit goes in the pivot, one wing must contain Z."
lang: "en"
canonical: "https://unisu-sudoku.app/en/sudoku-techniques/xy-wing/"
---

[Back to the learning guides](https://unisu-sudoku.app/en/learn/)

Further techniques

# XY-Wing: A pivot and two wings

An XY-Wing connects a pivot cell X/Y to two cells it sees, X/Z and Y/Z. Whichever digit goes in the pivot, one wing must contain Z.

![Unisu lesson on XY-Wing, showing the explained grid](https://unisu-sudoku.app/_astro/en.DsyfOjJV_Z19sQ93.webp)

An XY-Wing connects a pivot cell X/Y to two cells it sees, X/Z and Y/Z. Whichever digit goes in the pivot, one wing must contain Z.

Two cells see each other when they share a row, column or 3×3 box. An elimination needs the specific visibility relationships described in the reasoning.

## An example from the app

Pivot F1 has 5 and 3. Its wings are H1 with 5, 4, and D3 with 3, 4. Each wing shares a row, column or box with the pivot.

If F1 is 5, H1 must be 4. If F1 is 3, D3 must be 4. At least one wing contains it. A cell sharing a row, column or box with each wing cannot contain 4.

These notes are therefore ruled out: G3: 4.

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

Remove Z only from cells that see both wings. Seeing the pivot alone is not enough.

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 XY-Wing

### How many candidates do the XY-Wing cells have?

Exactly two each: X/Y at the pivot, with X/Z and Y/Z in the wings. The full candidate lists must match.

### Must the wings see each other?

No. Each wing must see the pivot. An elimination target must see both wings.

### Must the target also see the pivot?

Not for XY-Wing. Seeing both wings is what matters for eliminating their common digit Z.

### Which digit is eliminated?

The common wing digit Z. Either choice at the pivot forces Z into at least one wing.

### How is XYZ-Wing different?

XYZ-Wing has three candidates at its pivot. Its elimination target must see the pivot as well as both wings.

## 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

Further techniques

Unisu · Oct 27, 2026

### [XYZ-Wing: Three candidates in the pivot](https://unisu-sudoku.app/en/sudoku-techniques/xyz-wing/)

An XYZ-Wing has a pivot X/Y/Z and two cells it sees, X/Z and Y/Z. At least one of these three cells must contain Z.

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)