crossword solver
Crossword Solver
Solve crossword solver clues with known letters, blank spots, and length filters. Use the controls below and get usable answers without leaving the page.
Add a clue in the main box when meaning matters, or use Pattern for fixed letters and blanks. Not sure what to enter? Use the Sample button to load a realistic puzzle.
Enter letters or a pattern, or click Sample to see how this tool narrows a real puzzle.
You're halfway through a puzzle and stuck on a clue. You know the answer length, a couple of crossing letters, and maybe the clue itself. This tool is built for that moment - enter what you have, and get a ranked list of possible answers without sifting through a dictionary.
Start with what you know
Type the clue if you have it, then set the answer length. If you have any letters from crossings, enter them as a pattern (e.g., C?A??E? for a seven-letter word with known letters in positions 1, 3, and 6). The tool will match against a broad word list and show the most common answers first. If the clue is vague or common, the list will be longer - that's normal.
Narrow the list without guessing
Once you see results, use the include/exclude letters filter to remove words that can't fit. For example, if you know the answer has an 'R' but not in position 2, exclude that. If the list is still too long, add one more known letter. If it's empty, remove the weakest constraint first, usually an uncertain letter or an over-specific pattern.
When the same clue has multiple answers
Crossword constructors reuse clues, and a single clue can map to several answers depending on the puzzle's theme or era. The tool groups answers by frequency, so you'll see the most likely match first. If that doesn't fit, scroll down - the answer you need might be less common but still valid.
Pattern matching for tricky spots
If you have no clue but a few letters from crossings, use the pattern field alone. For instance, ?A??LE will return all words with A in position 2 and LE at the end. This is especially useful when you're stuck on a long word and only have a few letters.
Using the solver with themed puzzles
Themed puzzles often use obscure words or proper nouns. If your initial search returns nothing, try removing the clue and searching by pattern only. The tool's word list includes many proper nouns and archaic terms that appear in crosswords but not in everyday speech.
Crossword clue example
Start with the answer length and known crossings, such as c?a??. Use the clue meaning to choose among candidates; the tool can narrow the pattern, but it cannot know the clue’s wordplay by itself.
Before you write it into the grid
Before you write an answer into a crossword, test it against both the crossings and the clue. Pattern matches are candidates, not proof; clue tense, plural endings, and wordplay can rule out a technically valid word.