Crossword Solver

Know some of the letters? Enter the pattern with ? or _ for the unknowns — for example c_t — and this free crossword solver lists every matching answer instantly.

Solve by pattern

How to use the crossword solver

Write down the letters you know in their positions, left to right.
Replace every unknown with ? or _. A five-letter answer with only the middle T known becomes ??t??.
Run the search and scan the matches against the clue — the right answer usually jumps out.

Crossword solving tips

Fill the crossings first. Every confirmed letter halves the possibilities, so short crossing answers are the fastest way to crack a long one.
Learn the crossword regulars. Constructors reuse short answers constantly: ERA, OREO, EPEE, ARIA, ETUI, OLEO, AGORA. If your pattern fits one of these, it is probably right.
Watch the tense and number. If the clue is plural or past tense, the answer almost always matches — filter mentally for the S or ED ending.
Abbreviations signal abbreviations. A clue like "Doctor's org." with four letters is begging for AMA.
Think affixes. Stuck on a long pattern? Common prefixes (UN-, RE-, PRE-, DIS-) and suffixes (-ING, -ION, -NESS, -ITY) account for a huge share of long answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enter unknown letters?

Type ? or _ for each letter you do not know. For example, if a five-letter answer starts with C and ends with T, enter c???t or c___t.

Can I search without knowing any letters?

Yes — pick a word length from the dropdown and leave the pattern empty to browse every word of that length, then match against the clue.

Does it handle phrases with spaces?

This solver matches single dictionary words. For multi-word answers, solve each word separately with its own pattern.

Why are there so many matches for short patterns?

A pattern like ??? has hundreds of matches. Add every crossing letter you know — each one dramatically shrinks the list.

Is the crossword solver free?

Yes — free, unlimited and no signup required.