Crossword Word Solver: Fill in the Letters You Know
Stuck on the last few squares? This free crossword word solver finds every word that fits your grid. Type the letters you already have, leave a blank for each missing one, and get matching answers instantly — from a dictionary of nearly 370,000 words, including British and Irish spellings.
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Crossword pattern solver
Fill in the letters you know. Leave a box blank for unknown letters, or use the +/− buttons to change the word length.
How to use the word solver in three steps
- Set the length. Use + and − until the boxes match the squares in your grid.
- Fill in the letters you know. Put each confirmed letter in its exact position. Leave unknown squares empty.
- Hit “Find matching words”. Common words appear first, so the likeliest answer is usually near the top.
Example: a seven-letter answer starting with C, A fifth and ending in N? Enter C _ _ _ A _ N and the solver returns words like CAPTAIN, CERTAIN and CURTAIN.
More word-solving tools
Anagram Solver
Unscramble any set of letters into real words — great for jumbles and letter-tile games.
ToolWord Finder
Search by starting letters, ending letters, or a substring anywhere in the word.
GuideHow to Solve Faster
Practical techniques crossword editors and speed-solvers actually use.
Why use a crossword word solver?
Every solver hits a wall eventually. A word solver doesn't give you the clue's answer outright — it shows which real words fit the letters you've earned. You still choose the one that matches the clue, so it feels like help, not cheating.
It's most useful when:
- You have two or three crossing letters but can't think of a word that fits.
- You suspect an answer but aren't sure of the spelling.
- A cryptic clue gives you the definition, but the word won't surface.
- You're checking that a long answer actually exists before writing it in pen.
Built for UK and Irish crosswords
Most online solvers are built around American puzzles. Ours includes British and Irish spellings — COLOUR, CENTRE, ORGANISE, TYRE — so it works with the puzzles people in Ireland and the UK actually solve: The Irish Times Simplex and Crosaire, Irish Independent and Sunday crosswords, and UK broadsheet quick and cryptic puzzles.
For cryptic clues, use the solver once you've worked out the answer's length and a few checking letters. If the clue contains an anagram indicator such as “mixed”, “broken” or “wild”, switch to the anagram solver. New to cryptics? Start with our cryptic crosswords for beginners guide.
Tips for better results
- Count twice. A wrong word length is the number-one reason for zero results.
- Hyphens and spaces don't count. Enter TWENTY-ONE or ICE CREAM as one run of letters.
- Too many matches? Solve a crossing clue first; one extra letter often cuts 200 results to 5.
- Check the tense and number. If the clue is plural or past tense, the answer usually is too — look for words ending in S or ED.
- Watch for abbreviations. “Briefly” or “for short” usually means a shortened answer. See our crossword abbreviations guide and common crossword clue types.
Want to see why answers fit? Try 12 worked practice clues, play the daily crossword puzzle, or read how to solve crossword puzzles faster.
Frequently asked questions
What is a crossword word solver?
A crossword word solver finds words that fit a pattern of known and unknown letters. You enter the letters you have in their positions, leave blanks for the rest, and it lists every dictionary word of that length that matches.
How do I find a word with missing letters?
Set the number of boxes to your answer's length, type each letter you know in its square, and leave the unknown squares empty. Press “Find matching words” to see every possible answer.
Is the crossword word solver free?
Yes. It's completely free, with no sign-up or app download, and works on phones, tablets and desktops.
Does it use British and Irish spellings?
Yes. The dictionary includes UK and Irish spellings such as COLOUR, CENTRE and ORGANISE, so it suits The Irish Times, Irish Independent and UK newspaper crosswords.
Can it solve cryptic crossword clues?
It handles the letter-fitting part of any cryptic. Once you know the answer's length and some checking letters, it shows which words fit. For anagram clues, use the anagram solver to rearrange the letters.
Why am I getting no results?
The word length is usually wrong, or the answer is a proper name, abbreviation or phrase not in the dictionary. Recount the squares, drop any spaces or hyphens, and try again.
What the solver can and can't do
The solver matches letters, not clue meanings. A result means a word fits your pattern — not that it answers your clue. Proper names, themed phrases and some abbreviations may be missing. Always check the clue's meaning and your crossing answers before you commit.