Crossword Puzzle Generator

Enter each word and its clue on a separate line using the format WORD|Clue. For example: "JAVASCRIPT|Popular web programming language". Use only letters (A-Z) in words, and the clue can contain any text. The generator will automatically convert words to uppercase.

The crossword generator supports four grid sizes: 8×8 (Small), 10×10 (Medium), 12×12 (Standard), and 15×15 (Large). Smaller grids work best with fewer words (5-10), while larger grids can accommodate more words (15-25) for more complex puzzles.

The generator uses an intelligent placement algorithm that starts by placing the longest word in the center, then progressively places other words by finding optimal intersection points. It prioritizes positions that create the most intersections with existing words, resulting in a well-connected puzzle grid.

Yes! You can copy the puzzle in two formats: "Copy Puzzle" gives you the empty puzzle with clues for solving, while "Copy with Answers" includes the solution. The exported format uses text-based symbols (■ for blocked cells, _ for empty cells) and includes organized ACROSS and DOWN clues.

The generator tries to place as many words as possible using the available grid space. If some words cannot fit, they will be excluded from the final puzzle. To improve placement, try using a larger grid size, reducing the number of words, or using shorter words that are easier to intersect.

Clue numbers are automatically assigned based on the position of each word in the grid, reading from top to bottom and left to right. Each position where a word starts (either across or down) gets a unique number that corresponds to its clue in the clues list.

Absolutely! This tool is perfect for teachers and educators creating vocabulary exercises, review materials, or fun learning activities. You can create subject-specific crosswords for any topic by providing relevant terms and definitions. The puzzles can be copied and printed for classroom use.

A good word list should have: 1) Words of varying lengths (mix of short and long words), 2) Words with common letters that can intersect easily (E, A, R, S, T), 3) Clear, unambiguous clues, and 4) Related words that fit a theme. Aim for 8-15 words for smaller grids and 15-25 for larger grids.

Yes! The generator works great for themed puzzles. Simply provide words and clues related to your chosen theme (like "Technology", "History", "Science", etc.). Themed puzzles are especially popular for events, parties, educational settings, and themed publications.

Puzzle generation is typically very fast, usually completing in under 100 milliseconds. The generation time is displayed after each puzzle is created. More complex puzzles with many words or larger grids may take slightly longer as the algorithm finds optimal word placements.

The number of black squares (blocked cells) depends on how well the words intersect with each other. Puzzles with words that share more common letters will have fewer black squares and a more filled grid. The placement algorithm prioritizes intersections, but some word combinations naturally result in more gaps.

The word list remains in the input field, so you can modify it and regenerate new variations. To save a word list for later, simply copy the text from the input field and paste it into a text file or document. You can then paste it back when you want to use it again.