How crossword patterns work

Type every confirmed letter in its exact position and use a question mark for each unknown square. For example, S?A?E means a five-letter answer beginning with S, containing A in position 3, and ending in E. Pattern letters and positional letters are combined, so every result satisfies all the information you provide.

Adding letters from crossings

If a crossing answer gives you a letter that is not yet in your pattern, add it under Known letters and enter its position counting from the left. A seven-letter answer with R in the third square needs length 7, letter R, position 3.

Example searches

• S?A?E, length 5
• ??A??, length 5, with S at position 1
• No pattern, length 7, with R at position 3

Tips for solving crossword clues

Match the clue's tense, plurality, and part of speech before choosing an answer. Watch for abbreviations, question marks that signal wordplay, and theme entries that may bend the usual meaning. If the list is too broad, solve another crossing and add its letter rather than guessing from hundreds of possibilities.