How to Play Crossword Puzzles
New to crosswords? This guide will have you solving like a pro in minutes.
The Basics
A crossword puzzle is a grid of white and black squares. Your goal is to fill the white squares with letters to form words, guided by numbered clues. Words read left-to-right (Across) or top-to-bottom (Down).
Step-by-Step Instructions
Open a Puzzle
Choose Today's Crossword, Mini Crossword, or browse the archive.
Select a Square
Click any white square. The entire word highlights in blue. The active clue appears in the panel on the right (or below on mobile).
Toggle Direction
Click the same square again to switch between Across and Down. Or click directly on a clue to jump to it.
Type Your Answer
Type letters directly. The cursor advances automatically. Use Backspace to delete and move back.
Navigate the Grid
Use arrow keys to move cell by cell, or Tab / Shift+Tab to jump between clues.
Complete the Puzzle
When all squares are correctly filled, you'll see a congratulations screen with your solving time.
Toolbar Controls
- Check: Verify a letter, word, or the entire puzzle. Incorrect letters are marked in red.
- Reveal: Show the correct answer for a letter, word, or the whole puzzle.
- Clear: Erase a word or the entire grid (won't erase revealed letters).
- Pause: Pause the timer and hide the grid.
- Print: Print the puzzle to solve on paper.
- Prev / Next: Navigate to the previous or next puzzle of the same type.
- Random: Jump to a random published puzzle.
Keyboard Shortcuts
- A–Z: Type a letter in the selected square
- Backspace: Delete the current letter and move back
- Delete: Delete the current letter (stay in place)
- Arrow keys: Move between cells
- Tab: Jump to the next clue
- Shift+Tab: Jump to the previous clue
Progress is Saved Automatically
No account required. Your progress is saved in your browser's local storage. You can close the tab and return later—everything will be exactly as you left it.