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40 hand-checked links in 6 sections. Every link is visited monthly; dead ones are removed.
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Jump to:Play online· Solvers & pattern tools· Dictionaries & reference· Constructing· Books· Community & blogs
Play online
(10)| Site | Difficulty | Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
NYT Crossword PICK nytimes.com/crosswords |
Mon easy → Sat hard | The standard. The Mini is free daily; the full puzzle and archive need a subscription. | Paid |
USA Today PICK puzzles.usatoday.com |
Beginner | Monday-level every day. The best place to start. | Free |
latimes.com/games/daily-crossword |
Intermediate | A shade easier than the NYT. A common morning routine. | Free |
washingtonpost.com/crossword-puzzles/daily |
Intermediate | Free daily with a clean interface. | Free |
theguardian.com/crosswords |
All levels | Quick and cryptic puzzles, all free. Excellent British setting. | Free |
telegraph.co.uk/puzzles |
Intermediate–hard | Well-regarded cryptics. | Mixed |
AVCX NEW avxwords.com |
Intermediate–hard | Indie weekly with a modern voice. | Paid |
boatloadpuzzles.com |
Easy–medium | 40,000+ puzzles. Good for volume practice. | Free |
bestcrosswords.com |
All levels | Daily puzzles with printable versions. | Free |
puzzle-crosswords.com |
All levels | Big themed archive, no registration. | Free |
Nothing in this section matches the filter.
Solvers & pattern tools
(5)| Site | Type | Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
One Across PICK oneacross.com |
Clue + pattern | Enter a clue and a pattern like C??? to search past answers. Old and reliable. | Free |
crosswordtracker.com |
Clue database | Clues from major publications. Good for answers that have run in NYT or LAT. | Free |
wordplays.com |
Solver + anagrams | Solver, anagram finder and pattern search in one place. | Free |
XWord Info PICK xwordinfo.com |
NYT database | Every NYT puzzle since 1993, searchable by answer, clue, constructor or date. | Mixed |
Crossword Nexus NEW crosswordnexus.com |
Pattern | Fast pattern search across several word lists. | Free |
Nothing in this section matches the filter.
Dictionaries & reference
(8)| Site | Best for | Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
OneLook PICK onelook.com |
Wildcards | Searches many dictionaries at once. Supports ?a?e? patterns. | Free |
merriam-webster.com |
Definitions | The standard American dictionary. | Free |
thesaurus.com |
Synonyms | For clues that are a synonym of the answer. | Free |
etymonline.com |
Word origins | Helps with archaic and Latin-derived answers. | Free |
britannica.com |
Facts | History, science and geography clues. | Free |
oed.com |
Everything | The most complete English dictionary. Free through many public libraries. | Paid |
rhymezone.com |
Rhymes | Rhymes and related words; handy for cryptic wordplay. | Free |
wordreference.com |
Languages | French, Spanish, Italian, German and more. | Free |
Nothing in this section matches the filter.
Constructing
(6)| Site | Platform | Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
crosswordlabs.com |
Browser | Simple constructor. Good for teachers and first puzzles. | Free |
Ingrid PICK ingrid.cx |
Browser | Modern grid editor with auto-fill. | Free |
crosswordhobbyist.com |
Browser | Auto-fill and print options. | Mixed |
beekeeperlabs.com/crossfire |
Mac / Win | Desktop software used by professionals. | Paid |
spreadthewordlist.com |
Word list | A curated modern word list for fill. | Free |
cruciverb.com |
Reference | Submission specs for every major outlet. | Free |
Nothing in this section matches the filter.
Books
(5)| Site | Author | Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
How to Conquer the NYT Crossword PICK |
Amy Reynaldo | Practical strategy from a tournament solver. | Paid |
Thinking Inside the Box |
Adrienne Raphel | The puzzle’s culture and history, for any level. | Paid |
Crossworld |
Marc Romano | Memoir and history of the competitive circuit. | Paid |
The Compleat Cruciverbalist |
Kurzban & Rosen | The classic guide to American-style construction. | Paid |
Ximenes on the Art of the Crossword |
D. S. Macnutt | The definitive text on British cryptics. | Paid |
Nothing in this section matches the filter.
Community & blogs
(6)| Site | Format | Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
rexwordpuzzle.blogspot.com |
Daily blog | Opinionated NYT commentary. Loved and argued with. | Free |
crosswordfiend.com |
Daily blog | Reviews of several daily puzzles. | Free |
nytimes.com/column/wordplay |
Column | The NYT’s own puzzle column. | Paid |
reddit.com/r/crossword |
Forum | All styles. Good for beginner questions. | Free |
reddit.com/r/NYTCrossword |
Forum | Daily solve threads and constructor AMAs. | Free |
Fill Me In |
Podcast | Weekly conversation about puzzles. | Free |
Nothing in this section matches the filter.
Last full link check: Sep 1, 2026Suggest a link »
Sections
Editor’s picks
- How to Conquer the NYT CrosswordBooks
- NYT CrosswordPlay online
- OneLookDictionaries & reference
- One AcrossSolvers & pattern tools
- IngridConstructing
- USA TodayPlay online
- Diary of a Crossword FiendCommunity & blogs
- XWord InfoSolvers & pattern tools
Key
- PICKEditor’s pick, used by us weekly
- FreeNo account needed
- MixedSome free, some paid
- PaidSubscription or purchase
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