Build a Crossword With or Without a Pattern

This browser-based crossword studio gives you control over the grid, answers, clues, title, author, and final file format. Select Pattern when you want a ready-made symmetrical arrangement of black squares, or leave the grid open and place every block yourself. A period key toggles the selected square between open and black, while the symmetry control mirrors layout changes on the opposite side of the puzzle.

How to Create Your Crossword

1. Select New if you want to clear the current puzzle and begin again.
2. Choose Pattern for an instant symmetrical layout, or select squares and press . to design the blocks manually.
3. Select an open square and type the answer letters. Use the arrow keys to move, and press Enter to switch between Across and Down.
4. Edit the clue shown in the Clues and Suggestions panel whenever an answer is selected.
5. Use Auto-fill when you want the local crossword solver and dictionary to suggest a complete fill for the current pattern.
6. Open Export and choose a printable PDF, an editable Phil puzzle file, an Across Lite PUZ file, or a New York Times submission PDF.

Word Suggestions and Custom Dictionaries

As letters are added, the suggestion panels compare the active word pattern with the included crossword dictionary. A dash represents a letter that has not been entered yet. Select a suggested word to fill the active answer more quickly. If you maintain a specialist vocabulary list for a classroom, club, industry, or themed event, use the Dictionary control to load a plain-text word list from your device.

Saving and Reopening a Puzzle

The XW option saves an editable puzzle file that can be opened again from the toolbar. The PUZ option is intended for compatible crossword software. PDF export produces a printable puzzle and clue list, while the NYT submission option creates the additional pages and author details used by that submission workflow. Review every answer and clue before exporting, because the downloaded document reflects the current grid exactly.

Useful Ways to Use the Generator

Create vocabulary reviews, spelling activities, family-game puzzles, event handouts, subject-specific classroom exercises, or a traditional newspaper-style crossword. Pattern generation is useful when you want a quick balanced structure; manual block placement works better when particular theme answers must fit in specific positions. All editing and puzzle generation happen in the browser, and the files are downloaded directly to your device.