YOUR FIRST SOLVE STARTS HERE

How to play a crossword

A crossword pairs a grid of white and black squares with numbered clues. Every answer runs Across or Down. Letters shared by crossing answers help you solve the words around them.

1. Pick a clue and a direction

Tap a white square to select an answer. Its clue appears with the grid. Tap the square again or use Switch direction to move between Across and Down. The number beside a clue identifies its starting square.

2. Enter your letters

Use your keyboard on a computer or the on-screen letter keypad on your phone. Select an occupied square and type a new letter to replace it. Delete removes a letter. On a computer, arrow keys move through the grid and the space bar switches direction.

3. Let the crossings help

Start with clues you recognize. A confident answer can give you the first or last letter of a harder one. If you get stuck, choose another clue or use the next and previous clue controls. You can return to an unfinished answer at any time.

4. Check your work

Check letters helps you review your current fill. A full grid still needs correct letters to count as solved. When every answer is correct, the puzzle celebrates your completion.

Where should a beginner start?

Try a small grid or a familiar subject. The Rap break mini, Game on mini, and Saturday kickoff mini are free 5×5 crosswords. Their clues mix theme references with everyday knowledge.

What is free on Puzzledera?

Today’s daily crossword, the daily archive, and 5×5 minis are free. Membership opens the rest of the published online crossword and word-search library. Books and printable products are separate purchases.

Can I come back to a puzzle?

Guest progress saves on your device when browser storage is available. Signing in lets the crossword player save progress to your account. Keep using the same device and browser for a guest solve, and avoid private browsing if you want that local progress to remain available.

Prefer paper or another kind of game?

Browse crossword books by Puzzled Era for pencil-and-paper solving, or try SquishQuest, the free trivia game with collectible characters.