Crossword maker

How it works

The maker tries hundreds of ways of crossing your words and keeps the tightest grid with the most crossings. It then reads the finished grid across and down to prove that every word crosses another and no stray words formed where two lines sit side by side. If a word shares no letters with the others, the maker tells you and leaves it out.

Choose “No clues” to make a fill-in, also called a criss-cross: solvers get a word list and fit each word into the grid, with the longest word already in place. Use it for spelling lists, vocabulary, or the names of a class or family. Your words stay in your browser.

Want one ready to go? Print our themed crosswords, easy crosswords or large-print crosswords.

Is this crossword maker free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for personal or classroom use. There is no account and nothing to install.

Can I make a crossword without clues?

Yes. Set Puzzle type to “No clues”. You get a fill-in puzzle with a word list, and the longest word already written in the grid.

How do I type the words and clues?

One per line: the word, a dash or colon, then the clue, like “OCEAN - Salt water covering most of the Earth”. Spaces and hyphens in a word are removed, so ICE CREAM goes in the grid as ICECREAM.

Can I use names as the answers?

Yes. Type names as the words and write a clue about each person. Names work well for a classroom, a family reunion or a wedding shower.

Why was one of my words left out?

A word needs a letter in common with another word to cross it. Press New layout to try again, or add a word that links it to the others.

Can I make a large-print crossword?

Yes. Tick “Large print” for bigger clues and numbers, and use fewer words for bigger squares. Or print our ready-made large-print crosswords.

How do I save it as a PDF?

Press Print, then choose “Save as PDF” as the printer. The puzzle and its answer key print on separate pages.