Crossword Solver - Find Crossword Puzzle Answers
Free crossword puzzle solver and clue finder. Enter your pattern with known letters, search by clue text, or both. Works for NYT, LA Times, and all crossword puzzles.
How to Use the Crossword Solver
Our free crossword solver helps you find answers to any crossword puzzle clue. Enter the letters you know and use question marks (?) for the letters you don't know. The solver searches through over 280,000 words to find all possible matches.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Count the squares - Note how many letters the answer needs.
- Enter known letters - Type letters you've already filled in from crossing words.
- Use ? for unknowns - Replace each blank square with a question mark.
- Add the clue (optional) - Enter the crossword clue to help narrow results.
- Click "Find Crossword Answers" - See all matching words instantly.
- Click any word - View the definition to verify it matches the clue.
Pattern Examples
- A?P?E - 5-letter word starting with A, P in position 3, E at end → APPLE, AMPLE
- ??AT - 4-letter word ending in AT → BOAT, COAT, FLAT, THAT
- B??? - 4-letter word starting with B → BACK, BALL, BAND, etc.
- ?O?E - 4-letter word with O in position 2, E at end → BORE, COME, DONE, HOME, etc.
- ???ING - 6-letter word ending in ING → ASKING, BAKING, CARING, etc.
Crossword Solving Tips
- Start with fill-in-the-blank clues: These are usually the easiest and give you letters for crossing words.
- Look for short words first: 3 and 4-letter answers are often common words you'll recognize.
- Use crossing letters: Fill in letters from intersecting words to narrow down possibilities.
- Watch for wordplay: Many clues have double meanings, puns, or require lateral thinking.
- Consider abbreviations: Clues ending in "Abbr." or containing abbreviations often have abbreviated answers.
- Note the tense: If the clue is past tense, the answer likely is too.
- Look for theme answers: Longer answers often relate to the puzzle's theme.
Common Crossword Answer Words
Certain words appear frequently in crossword puzzles due to their useful letter combinations:
- 3-letter: ERA, ORE, ATE, ONE, ARE, EEL, ALE, OAR, EAR, IRE
- 4-letter: AREA, ARIA, ALOE, OLEO, OREO, EPEE, EASE, ELSE
- 5-letter: ARENA, AERIE, EERIE, OATER, ELATE, IRATE
Understanding Crossword Clue Types
- Straight definition: The clue directly defines the answer (e.g., "Large cat" = LION)
- Fill-in-the-blank: Complete a phrase (e.g., "_____ of the crop" = CREAM)
- Wordplay/Puns: Clues with double meanings or clever twists
- Abbreviations: Indicated by "Abbr." in the clue
- Foreign words: Indicated by language name (e.g., "Friend: Fr." = AMI)
- Slang: Indicated by "Slang" or "Informally"
Works With All Crossword Puzzles
Our crossword solver works with all major crossword publications:
- New York Times Crossword - Daily and Sunday puzzles
- LA Times Crossword - Daily puzzles
- Washington Post - Daily crosswords
- USA Today - Quick and daily puzzles
- Wall Street Journal - Daily puzzles
- The Guardian - Quick and cryptic crosswords
Frequently Asked Questions About Crossword Puzzles
How do I enter a crossword pattern?
Use letters you know and ? for unknown letters. Example: "A?P?E" finds 5-letter words starting with A, with P in position 3, and E at the end (like APPLE). The pattern length determines the word length.
Can I search crossword answers by clue?
The optional clue field helps narrow results by matching words commonly associated with crossword clues. Enter keywords from the clue for better results.
Why am I getting no results for my pattern?
Try using fewer known letters or a shorter pattern. Some letter combinations may not match any dictionary words. Also check that your pattern uses ? for unknowns, not blanks or other characters.
Does this work for NYT crossword puzzles?
Yes! Our crossword solver works for all crossword puzzles including New York Times, LA Times, Washington Post, USA Today, and any other crossword puzzle.