How to play crosswords
A crossword is a grid of squares where words cross each other. Every answer runs either Across (left to right) or Down (top to bottom) and starts in a numbered square. The clue with the same number tells you what the word is.
Filling in the grid
- Tap or click any white square. The squares of the current word light up, and its clue appears in the bar above the grid.
- Type a letter. The cursor moves to the next empty square of the word.
- Tap the same square again to switch between the Across and Down word that pass through it.
- Tap a clue in the list to jump straight to its word.
- When every square is filled with the right letter, the puzzle is solved and the timer stops.
Check and Reveal
Check compares your letters with the solution and marks wrong ones in red — for one square, the current word or the whole puzzle. Autocheck does this as you type. Reveal fills in the right letters for you. Revealed squares get a small blue corner. Using Reveal or Autocheck still lets you finish, but the result is marked “with help” and does not count as a best time.
Keyboard shortcuts
- Letters — type into the current square.
- Arrow keys — move around; pressing an arrow across the current direction switches direction.
- Space — switch between Across and Down.
- Tab or Enter — jump to the next unfinished clue; Shift + Tab goes back.
- Backspace — delete a letter and step back.
Puzzle types
- Daily Crossword — a 12×12 themed puzzle: every answer belongs to the day's topic.
- Daily Mini — a 5×5 grid, solved in a minute or two.
- Daily Midi — a 7×7 grid with longer answers.
- Unlimited — play any size as many times as you like.
New to crosswords? Start with the Mini, then read our solving tips.