crossword solver
Crossword Clue Solver
Solve crossword clue solver clues with known letters, blank spots, and length filters. Use the controls below and get usable answers without leaving the page.
Use ? for unknown letters, like c?a?? Not sure what to enter? Use the Sample button to load a realistic puzzle.
Enter letters or a pattern, or click Sample to see how this tool narrows a real puzzle.
You have a clue and a few crossing letters, but the answer is not obvious yet. This page helps you turn that information into a smaller candidate list: use the answer length, known letters, and likely word shape first, then compare the results against the clue.
How clues map to answers
Crossword clues are rarely direct synonyms. They can use wordplay, abbreviations, tense clues, puns, and theme references. The tool does not understand the clue text like a human solver, so use the clue to choose among words that fit your pattern. If the clue suggests a short animal word and your crossings show C?T, CAT is more plausible than a random pattern match.
Enter the clue and length first
Start by typing the exact clue as it appears in your puzzle. Then set the answer length - this is critical because the same clue can have different answers for different lengths. For example, "River" could be 3 letters ("NILE") or 4 letters ("AMAZON"). The tool will filter results to match your length.
Use known letters to refine
If you have any letters from crossings, add them as a pattern. This dramatically narrows the list. For a 7-letter answer with known letters in positions 2 and 5, enter ?A??E??. The tool will only show clue-answer pairs that match both the clue and the pattern.
When the clue is cryptic
Cryptic clues usually combine a definition with wordplay. This page will not solve the cryptic mechanism for you, but it can help test candidate word lengths and crossing-letter patterns while you work through the clue.
Understanding result rankings
Results are ranked by how often that clue-answer pair appears in puzzles. The top result is the most common, but it may not be correct for your specific puzzle. Always verify with crossing letters. If the top result doesn't fit, scroll down - the answer you need might be less frequent but still valid.
Crossword clue example
Start with the answer length and known crossings, such as c?a??. Use the clue meaning to choose among candidates; the tool can narrow the pattern, but it cannot know the clue’s wordplay by itself.
Choose the right word tool
Use this page when a clue gives you answer length and some crossing letters. If you do not have a pattern yet, start broad with Word Finder, then return here once crossings narrow the answer.
Common Questions
How do I solve a crossword clue with missing letters?
Enter the clue and answer length, then use the pattern field to mark known letters. The tool will show only answers that match both the clue and the pattern. If you have no known letters, the tool will still show all common answers for that clue.
How do I search crossword answers by pattern?
Use the pattern input with ? for unknown letters. For example, ?A? returns all three-letter words with A in the second position. Combine with a clue to narrow further.
What does this clue mean?
The tool shows common answers and sometimes includes notes about the clue's meaning or wordplay. For direct definitions, you may need to check a dictionary. The tool is best for finding answers, not explaining clues.
How many letters is the answer?
Set the answer length in the tool. If you're unsure, try a range (e.g., 4-6 letters) and try one exact length at a time.
Can the same clue have different answers?
Yes. Many clues have multiple valid answers. The tool ranks them by frequency, but you should always check against your puzzle's crossings and theme.
Before you write it into the grid
Before you write an answer into a crossword, test it against both the crossings and the clue. Pattern matches are candidates, not proof; clue tense, plural endings, and wordplay can rule out a technically valid word.