Crossword maker: printable crossword puzzles

Make a crossword from your own words

This crossword maker builds a grid from your words and clues, then lets you print it or solve it on screen. Type one line per word, written as tree : We decorate it in December, and the tool looks for a layout in which every word crosses at least one other word. Starting squares are numbered and the clues are sorted into two lists, Across and Down. Three sample themes with easy clues for kids are ready to use: Christmas, Animals and School.

How to make a printable crossword

1. Pick a theme under “Sample theme”, or type your pairs in “Words and clues”. Two columns pasted from a spreadsheet work too.
2. Leave “Remove accents (É becomes E)” ticked so that a word like café goes into the grid as CAFE.
3. The puzzle appears at once. “New puzzle” shuffles the layout, and the “Seed” shown above lets you rebuild exactly the same grid later.
4. Solve it online or click “Print the puzzle”.

Ideas for the classroom, birthdays and weddings

Teachers use a 10 to 15 word puzzle to review the week's spelling list, science vocabulary or the states and capitals. For a birthday, fill it with facts about the guest of honor: hometown, first car, favorite dessert. At a bridal shower, wedding reception or family reunion, put a copy on each table with clues about the couple or the grandparents. The answer key can come out with dessert.

Writing good clues

• Keep each clue to one short line. “It meows and purrs” works better than a long sentence.
• Match the age group. Young children need clues about what they can see or do; adults enjoy a pun or an inside joke.
• The number of letters appears after each clue, such as “(5)”, so there is no need to add it yourself.

Freeform grids and blocked grids

The crosswords in newspapers fill a whole square: every square is white except the black ones, and nearly every letter belongs to two words. This tool makes a freeform crossword instead: words cross like branches, unused squares stay empty, and every answer is one you picked. That suits vocabulary lists and party games much better.

To pick the layout, the tool tries 60 grids and keeps the one with the highest score: 1,000 points per word placed, 20 per crossing, minus the number of squares in the rectangle, minus 3 times the gap between width and height. With 12 words and 12 crossings, a 12 × 12 grid scores 12,000 + 240 − 144 − 0 = 12,096 and beats a 14 × 10 grid (12,000 + 240 − 140 − 12 = 12,088). A word that shares no letter with the others is listed above the grid.

Printing and playing online

The first printed page holds the title, the blank numbered grid and the clues. Tick “Answer key on a separate page” to get the filled grid on page two. US Letter is selected by default; A4 is one click away.

On screen, tap a square and type: the cursor moves along the word by itself. Arrow keys move around, and clicking the active square again switches between Across and Down. “Check” turns wrong letters red, “Reveal letter” and “Reveal word” give a hint, and a timer runs until the last square is right.

FAQ

Why is one of my words missing?

It has no letter in common with the other words, or there was no room for it without two words touching side by side. Try a new seed or add a word that shares some of its letters.

How many words can I use?

From 2 to 40 words, each 2 to 20 letters long. The grid never goes beyond 25 squares on a side.

Can I get the same puzzle again?

Yes. Write down the seed and keep the same word list. Editing a clue does not change the grid, so you can fix a typo after printing.

Are my words sent anywhere?

No. The puzzle is built in your browser, and your list and answers are only saved on your device for your next visit.