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Crossword Answers & Solutions

Your free crossword solver. Search by clue, answer, or letter pattern across thousands of published crossword puzzles. Create your own puzzles, share them with friends, and download as PDF.

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Type a clue like "Capital of France" to find matching answers. Type letters like "PAR" to find all answers containing those letters. Enter a clue and optionally select the answer length to narrow results. Or press ⌘K to open quick search.

Today's Crossword Puzzles

Latest Crossword Clues

Dojo discipline LA Times Daily Crossword
Time to study LA Times Daily Crossword
Part of i.e. LA Times Daily Crossword
Bring up LA Times Daily Crossword
"Chocolate in every bite" cookie maker LA Times Daily Crossword
Tacos de nopales need LA Times Daily Crossword
Herb in fines herbes and herbes de Provence LA Times Daily Crossword
Key hit in panic LA Times Daily Crossword
Singer known as the "Goddess of Pop" LA Times Daily Crossword
Welcome words? LA Times Daily Crossword
Skateboarding star Tony LA Times Daily Crossword
Martinican poet Césaire who helped found the Négritude movement LA Times Daily Crossword
Bernie Sanders' mittens, for one LA Times Daily Crossword
Taqueria option LA Times Daily Crossword
Sack LA Times Daily Crossword
Percussion set LA Times Daily Crossword
Army __ LA Times Daily Crossword
Racing headgear LA Times Daily Crossword
High-quality proof, for short LA Times Daily Crossword
Vinyasa sequence also called Surya Namaskar LA Times Daily Crossword
"__ bien" LA Times Daily Crossword
Beaut LA Times Daily Crossword
"Buona __" LA Times Daily Crossword
Guttural sound LA Times Daily Crossword
Muffuletta ingredient LA Times Daily Crossword

How to Find Crossword Answers

1

Search by Clue

Type any crossword clue into the search box and we'll find matching answers from our database of thousands of published crossword puzzles. Results are ranked by confidence based on how often each answer appears for similar clues.

2

Search by Answer

Already have some letters? Type them in and we'll find every crossword answer that contains those letters. This is useful when you can read some letters from intersecting words but need the full answer to confirm.

3

Specific Search

Know the clue and the number of letters? Use the specific search to enter your clue and select the answer length. We'll find answers that match both the clue text and the exact number of characters you need.

Create Your Own Crossword Puzzle

Crossword-Solver.ai isn't just for solving puzzles — you can build your own too. Write your clues and answers, and our generator will automatically create a crossword grid for you. Share your puzzle with a unique link, or download it as a PDF for classrooms, parties, or offline fun.

  • Write your own clues and answers
  • Auto-generated crossword grid
  • Share via link or download as PDF
  • Track plays, completion rates, and solve times

How to Solve a Crossword Puzzle

Whether you're picking up your first pencil or sharpening your daily streak, these seven steps will take you from blank grid to fully solved.

01

Read All the Clues First

Before writing a single letter, scan every clue — both Across and Down. Your brain begins pattern-matching in the background. You'll often find that clues you thought were impossible become obvious after reading three others.

Pro tip: Circle clues you feel confident about. Attack those first.
ACROSS DOWN
02

Start With What You Know

Fill in the answers you're certain about first. These confirmed letters create a scaffold for intersecting words. Even one or two confident answers in a section can unlock an entire corner of the grid.

Pro tip: Short words (3–4 letters) often appear repeatedly in crosswords. Learn common ones: ERA, ORE, ALE, ESTE.
C R O S A S W O R D
03

Use Crossing Letters

The power of a crossword is the intersection of Across and Down answers. Once you have partial letters in a word, use them to narrow down possibilities. A word you couldn't solve alone becomes obvious with three crossing letters in place.

Pro tip: Focus on the letter at the intersection — it must satisfy both the Across and Down clue simultaneously.
S T R S P L N E T A ACROSS → ↓ DOWN CROSSING LETTER Must satisfy both clues
04

Decode Tricky Clue Types

Crossword constructors use specific conventions. A clue ending in "?" signals wordplay or a pun. Abbreviations in the clue suggest abbreviated answers. Plural clues mean plural answers. Recognizing these patterns saves enormous time.

Pro tip: "In a way" or "of sorts" in a clue signals a loose or figurative answer — don't overthink it literally.
Clue Type Guide Ends with "?" → Wordplay, pun, or twist Abbreviation in clue → Answer is also abbreviated Plural clue → Answer ends in S (usually) Past-tense clue → Answer is past tense too 💡
05

Work Section by Section

Large grids can feel overwhelming. Break them into quadrants — top-left, top-right, bottom-left, bottom-right. Solve each zone before moving on. The black squares naturally create boundaries that help you compartmentalize.

Pro tip: The center of the grid is usually the hardest — leave it for last when you have more crossing letters.
✓ Done Solved ▶ Now In Progress — Next Queued — Later Remaining
06

Let AI Fill the Gaps

Even seasoned solvers hit walls. That's where crossword-solver.ai steps in. Enter your clue and the letters you already have — our AI instantly finds the right answer, explains the logic, and keeps your streak intact.

Pro tip: Use known crossing letters as wildcards (e.g., "_ A _ E _") to dramatically narrow down matches.
crossword-solver.ai Enter your clue Ancient Greek marketplace _ G _ R A Solve → BEST MATCH AGORA 5 letters ✓
07

Review & Learn for Next Time

After completing a puzzle, spend 2 minutes reviewing clues you struggled with. Crossword constructors reuse the same words and tricks constantly. What stumps you today becomes a freebie tomorrow.

Pro tip: Keep a small "crossword vocab" list — words like ETUI, OLEO, ANOA appear far more often than in everyday life.
N Y A E T S R I T S E ⭐ ✨ ⭐ ✨ ✓ COMPLETED

Play Crossword Games Online

Playing crossword puzzles regularly is one of the best ways to keep your mind sharp. Studies show that crossword solvers develop stronger vocabulary, improve pattern recognition, and maintain cognitive flexibility as they age. Whether you tackle a quick mini puzzle during your morning coffee or sit down with a full-size Sunday grid, the mental workout is real — and genuinely enjoyable.

Beyond the brain benefits, crosswords are a wonderful way to unwind. The focused concentration they demand creates a meditative state that reduces stress and promotes mindfulness. Here are some of the best places to play crossword puzzles online for free or with a subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a crossword puzzle and how does it work?
A crossword puzzle is a word game played on a grid of white and black squares. The goal is to fill in the white squares with letters to form words or phrases based on the clues provided. Clues are divided into two categories: Across (horizontal) and Down (vertical). Where words intersect, they share a letter, which helps you solve both words. Crosswords range from straightforward definition-based clues to cryptic puzzles that involve wordplay, anagrams, and hidden meanings.
How do I solve a crossword puzzle?
Start with the clues you're most confident about — often the shorter words or fill-in-the-blank clues. Once you have a few answers, the intersecting letters will help you solve the harder clues. Pay attention to the tense and part of speech in the clue, as the answer should match. For example, if the clue is in the past tense, the answer likely ends in "-ED". If you get stuck, our crossword solver can help you find answers by clue text, partial answer, or letter pattern.
What is a cryptic crossword clue?
Cryptic crossword clues contain two parts: a definition (usually at the start or end of the clue) and wordplay that leads to the same answer through a different route. The wordplay can involve anagrams, hidden words, reversals, homophones, double definitions, and other clever tricks. For example, "Flower from the garden?" might clue ROSE, which is both a flower and the past tense of "rise". Our Explain with AI feature can help break down cryptic clues for you.
How does the crossword solver work?
Our crossword solver searches through a database of thousands of published crossword puzzles. When you enter a clue, we find answers that have been used for that clue or similar clues across multiple publications. Each potential answer is ranked by confidence — exact matches score highest, while answers from similar clues score lower. You can also search by answer text or use the pattern search to find words that match a specific letter pattern with wildcards.
Can I create my own crossword puzzle?
Yes! With a free Crossword-Solver.ai account, you can create custom crossword puzzles. Simply enter your clues and answers, and our generator will automatically build a crossword grid for you. Once created, you can share your puzzle via a unique link, embed it on your website, or download it as a PDF for printing. It's perfect for teachers, event planners, or anyone who wants to create a personalised word puzzle.
Can I download crossword puzzles as PDF?
Yes, any crossword puzzle you create on Crossword-Solver.ai can be downloaded as a printable PDF. The PDF includes the blank grid with numbered cells, the full list of Across and Down clues, and an optional answer key on a separate page. This makes it easy to use puzzles in classrooms, at events, or anywhere you'd prefer to solve on paper.
What does the letter pattern search do?
The pattern search lets you find crossword answers when you know some letters but not all. Set the word length, then fill in the letters you know and leave the rest as question marks. For example, if you know a 5-letter word starts with "P" and ends with "S", enter P???S and we'll show you all matching answers from our database like PARIS, PRESS, POURS, and more. This is especially useful when you have crossing letters from other solved clues.
How often is the crossword database updated?
We update our database daily with new puzzles from Universal Crossword, Eugene Sheffer Crossword, Thomas Joseph Crossword, Premier Sunday Crossword, LA Times Daily Crossword and USA Today Crossword. Each new puzzle adds clues and answers that improve our solver's accuracy. The more data we collect, the better our confidence rankings become, because we can see which answers are most commonly used for specific clues across multiple publications and time periods.
What are common crossword solving strategies?
Start easy: Fill in the answers you know immediately — fill-in-the-blank clues, short words, and common crossword answers (ERA, ORE, ATE). Use crossing letters: Every letter you place gives you a clue for the intersecting word. Watch for themes: Many puzzles have a theme that connects several long answers. Read carefully: Clues often contain subtle hints about the answer's form — plural clues suggest plural answers, abbreviation indicators suggest abbreviated answers. Take breaks: Fresh eyes often spot answers you missed earlier.
Is it cheating to use a crossword solver?
Not at all! Crossword solvers are learning tools. Looking up an answer teaches you words and facts that make future puzzles easier. Many solvers use reference tools as part of their solving process — it's no different from looking up a word in a dictionary or checking an atlas. The goal is to enjoy the puzzle and learn something new. Over time, you'll notice that answers you once had to look up become part of your crossword vocabulary.
Do I need an account to use the crossword solver?
No account is needed to search for crossword answers, browse puzzles, or view clue pages — all of our solver tools are completely free and available without registration. You only need a free account if you want to create your own crossword puzzles, track your solving history, or access the puzzle builder and PDF download features.
Create Your Own Crossword
Build custom crossword puzzles and share them with anyone. You'll need a free account to get started.

Write your own clues & answers

Add as many clue/answer pairs as you like and we'll generate the crossword grid automatically.

Share with a unique link

Every puzzle gets a unique URL you can share on WhatsApp, social media, or with friends.

Download as PDF

Print your puzzle for classrooms, parties, or just for fun on paper.

Track plays & stats

See how many people played your puzzle, completion rates, and average solve times.