How to Use the Crossword Solver
- 1.Type known letters - Enter any letters you already know in their correct positions.
- 2.Use ? for unknowns - Replace each unknown letter with
?. One?= exactly one letter. Soc???tfinds every 5-letter word starting with C and ending in T. - 3.Use * for variable length -
*matches any number of letters. Use it when you know a prefix or suffix but not the total length. - 4.Browse results by length - Results are grouped by word length and sorted alphabetically. Click any word to see its definition.
Pattern Examples
| Pattern | Meaning | Example matches |
|---|---|---|
| c?t | c? = 1 lettert | cat, cot, cut, cit |
| b??k | b? = 1 letter? = 1 letterk | back, balk, bank, bark, bask… |
| ?ight | ? = 1 letteright | eight, fight, light, might, night, right, sight, tight, wight |
| pre* | pre* = any sequence | prefix, prevent, preview, prepare… |
| un*ed | un* = any sequenceed | unused, united, unlined, unnamed… |
| s????? | s? = 1 letter? = 1 letter? = 1 letter? = 1 letter? = 1 letter | any 6-letter word starting with S |
Common Crossword Clue Patterns
These are the most frequently searched crossword patterns. Click any pattern to solve it instantly.
5-letter words with known positions
Words by prefix or suffix
Short words (3-4 letters)
Crossword Tips
Use crossing letters first
Fill in answers you're confident about first. The letters they share with unsolved clues narrow down your options dramatically.
Count the squares carefully
The number of squares in the grid is exact. Make sure your
? count matches the grid length before searching.
Common crossword endings
Crossword setters love words ending in -ER, -ED, -ING, -ION, -AL and -LY. If you're stuck, try these endings with your known letters.
Cryptic clue structure
Cryptic clues always have a definition (usually at the start or end) plus a wordplay component. Solve the wordplay to get the letter pattern, then use this tool to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use the crossword solver?
Type the letters you know and use ? for each unknown letter. For example, if you know a 5-letter word starts with C and ends in T, type c???t. The solver finds every word matching that exact pattern.
What does ? mean in the crossword solver?
? matches exactly one unknown letter. So c?t finds cat, cot, cut. Use multiple ? marks for multiple unknowns: b??k finds back, balk, bank, bark, bask, and more.
What does * mean in the crossword solver?
* matches any sequence of letters (including zero letters). So pre* finds prefix, prevent, preview, prepare, and every other word starting with PRE. Use it when you know a prefix or suffix but not the full length.
Can I use this for cryptic crosswords?
Yes. Cryptic crossword answers are always real dictionary words. Once you have worked out the letter count and any confirmed letters from crossing words, enter the pattern here to find the answer.
How many words are in the dictionary?
Our dictionary contains over 249,000 English words from 2 to 15 letters, covering standard crossword dictionaries, Scrabble word lists, and general English vocabulary.