Crossword Pattern Solver
Set the answer length, then type the letters you already have into their squares. Leave the rest empty.
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How to enter an answer
Pick the answer length, then type each confirmed letter into its own square and leave the rest empty. A five-letter answer starting with S, with A in the third square and E at the end, is just S, A and E typed into squares 1, 3 and 5 — the numbers under the row tell you which is which. Every result matches all of it.
Adding letters from crossings
When a crossing hands you another letter, click its square and type it — the search stays put until you press the button, so you can add several before running it again. Changing the answer length keeps the letters you have already entered, so correcting a miscount doesn't mean starting over.
Example searches
- Length 5, with S, A and E in squares 1, 3 and 5 —
S?A?E - Length 5, with just A in square 3 —
??A?? - Length 7, with just R in square 3 —
??R????
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 recurring crosswordese staples. For a complete guide to decoding tricky wordplay and memorizing high-frequency grid fillers, explore our Crossword Strategy Guide. If the candidate list is too broad, solve an intersecting crossing and add its letter rather than guessing blindly.
How crossword pattern matching works
The solver compares every word of the selected length with the letters in your squares. A filled square must match at that exact position; an empty square can be any letter. Everyday words appear first, followed by the remaining matches in alphabetical order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I solve a crossword clue with missing letters?
Select the total letter count for the answer slot, enter each letter you have already solved into its exact numbered square, and leave unknown letters blank. The solver checks all matching dictionary words instantly.
What does a question mark mean at the end of a crossword clue?
A question mark indicates non-literal wordplay, puns, or intentional misdirection. Rather than a straightforward definition, the clue relies on double meanings, phonetic wordplay, or figurative interpretations (e.g., 'Flower of London?' refers to the river Thames because it flows, not a plant).
What is crosswordese and why do constructors use it?
Crosswordese refers to short, vowel-rich words rarely used in daily conversation (such as ERIE, ALEE, ARIA, ALOE, and ETUI) that appear frequently in crossword grids. Puzzle constructors rely on them to connect intersecting long theme entries across black squares.
How do abbreviations in crossword clues work?
Crossword clues follow strict grammatical agreement. If a clue contains an abbreviation or tags like 'Abbr.' or 'for short' (e.g., 'Doctor's org.'), the answer must also be an abbreviation (AMA). If the clue is written in full, the answer must be spelled out.
What should I do if a crossword clue has multiple words?
Count the total number of letters across all words in the answer (excluding spaces). Enter known letters at their overall positions to find candidate phrases and compound words that fit the slot.
How do I narrow down too many crossword matches?
Solve an intersecting crossing clue first. Adding just one more confirmed letter — especially an unusual consonant or vowel — typically reduces hundreds of possible words down to a handful.
Does the crossword solver support clues with numbers or symbols?
Standard American and British crosswords only use letters A through Z. If a clue involves a number (like '4th of July'), spell out the number word (such as FOURTH).
What dictionary does the crossword solver search?
Matches are evaluated against the comprehensive 277,000+ word dictionary used by the site, filtering against all valid words of your selected length.
Results come from our general English word data for 1- to 12-letter single words. The tool matches letter patterns rather than clue meanings and cannot guarantee every crossword answer; names, abbreviations, phrases, variant spellings, and themed entries may be absent.