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Join Free →✏️ Crossword Solver
Find crossword puzzle answers using pattern matching — works for NYT, LA Times & more
Try These Patterns
Click any pattern to see how our crossword solver works:
The Ultimate Crossword Puzzle Helper
Our crossword solver helps you find answers when you're stuck on a clue. Whether you're working on the NYT Crossword, LA Times Crossword, USA Today, or any other puzzle, simply enter the letters you know and use ? for the blanks.
The tool searches through 280,000+ words to find all possible matches, making it perfect for:
Daily Crosswords
NYT, LA Times, Washington Post, USA Today puzzles
Cryptic Crosswords
British-style puzzles with wordplay clues
Crossword Apps
NYT Games, Crossword Puzzle Free, and more
Learning Tool
Discover new words and expand vocabulary
How to Use the Crossword Solver
- Count the squares — Note how many letters the answer needs
- Enter known letters — Fill in any letters you've already solved from crossing words
- Use ? for blanks — Replace unknown letters with question marks
- Click Find Answers — We'll show all matching words instantly
- Check the clue — Review results to find the answer that fits your clue
Example: Solving a 9-Letter Clue
Clue: "Calm state of mind" (9 letters)
You know: S _ R _ N _ T _ (from crossing words)
Enter: S?R?N?T?
Answer: SERENITY ✓
NYT Crossword Solver Help
The New York Times Crossword is the world's most famous crossword puzzle. Here's what you need to know:
📅 Daily Schedule
- Monday: Easiest puzzle
- Tuesday-Wednesday: Moderate
- Thursday: Tricky themes
- Friday-Saturday: Hardest
- Sunday: Larger grid, medium difficulty
⏰ Release Times
- Daily (Mon-Sat): 10 PM ET (night before)
- Sunday: 6 PM ET Saturday
- Mini Crossword: 10 PM ET daily
📏 Grid Sizes
- Daily: 15×15 squares
- Sunday: 21×21 squares
- Mini: 5×5 squares
Need help with today's NYT Mini Crossword? Check our daily answers blog for hints and solutions!
Crossword Solving Strategies
Master these techniques used by crossword champions:
Start with Fill-in-the-Blanks
Clues like "_____ of the Tiger" are usually easiest. They give you anchor letters for crossing words.
Solve Short Words First
3-4 letter answers have fewer possibilities. Solving them reveals letters for longer answers.
Watch for Abbreviations
If the clue has an abbreviation (Dr., Mt., etc.), the answer is likely abbreviated too.
Match Tense & Plurality
Past tense clue = past tense answer. Plural clue = plural answer. "Dogs" won't be DOG.
Learn Crosswordese
Common crossword words: OREO, ALOE, ARIA, ERA, ORE, EEL. They appear constantly!
Question Marks = Wordplay
A ? in the clue means puns, double meanings, or tricky wordplay. Think creatively!
Common Crossword Answers to Know
These words appear frequently in crossword puzzles. Memorize them!
Cryptic Crossword Clue Types
Cryptic crosswords use wordplay. Learn to recognize these clue types:
🔄 Anagram Clues
Indicators: "mixed," "scrambled," "confused," "wild," "crazy"
Example: "Crazy artist creates TRAILS" → TRAILS scrambled = TRIALS
👀 Hidden Word Clues
Indicators: "in," "within," "partly," "some," "held by"
Example: "Some accLAIM EDitor" → hidden word = LAIMED
↩️ Reversal Clues
Indicators: "back," "returned," "reversed," "up" (in down clues)
Example: "Returned STAR" → STAR reversed = RATS
🔗 Charade Clues
Structure: Parts combine to form the answer
Example: "Automobile + pet = CARPET" → CAR + PET
Popular Crossword Puzzles
Our solver works with all major crossword publications:
📰 New York Times
The gold standard. Daily puzzles increase in difficulty through the week. Subscription required.
🌴 LA Times
Free daily crossword with consistent quality. Great for intermediate solvers.
🇺🇸 USA Today
Free, beginner-friendly puzzles. Perfect for new crossword enthusiasts.
📮 Washington Post
Free daily puzzle with Sunday-sized weekend editions.
🏛️ The Guardian
British cryptic crosswords. Challenging wordplay for advanced solvers.
📱 NYT Mini
Free 5×5 puzzle. Quick solve, resets at 10 PM ET. See today's answers →
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use the crossword solver?
Enter the letters you know and use ? for unknown letters. For example, if you need a 7-letter word and know it starts with S and ends with Y, enter S?????Y. We'll show all matching words.
What time does the NYT Crossword come out?
The daily NYT Crossword releases at 10 PM Eastern the night before (so Monday's puzzle is available Sunday at 10 PM). Sunday puzzles release Saturday at 6 PM ET.
Is the NYT Crossword free?
The NYT Mini Crossword is free. The full daily crossword requires a New York Times Games subscription ($40/year or included with NYT All Access).
Why is Friday's crossword harder than Monday's?
NYT crosswords increase in difficulty through the week. Monday is easiest, Saturday is hardest. This lets solvers of all skill levels find puzzles they enjoy.
What are "crosswordese" words?
Crosswordese are words that appear frequently in crosswords because they have useful letter patterns (lots of vowels, common letters). Examples: OREO, ALOE, ARIA, ERA, ORE. Learning these gives you an edge!
How do I solve cryptic crossword clues?
Cryptic clues have two parts: a definition and wordplay. Look for anagram indicators ("mixed," "scrambled"), hidden words ("in," "within"), or reversals ("back," "returned"). The definition is usually at the start or end of the clue.