Crossword Puzzle Generator
A crossword is a compact vocabulary test with a satisfying layout. Feed this generator a list of words and it builds an interlocking grid, numbers the cells, and shows the puzzle plus a separate solution view. Download the result as a PNG to print or share. Good for classroom worksheets, newsletter filler, party ice-breakers and any occasion where a word list should become a little more interactive.
How to generate a crossword
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1
Enter your words
One per line, up to 28 words. Only letters are used: capitalization does not matter, and hyphens and apostrophes are removed.
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2
Pick the grid size
Between 8 and 25 cells per side. Larger grids fit longer words and more entries.
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3
Set a seed (optional)
The seed fixes the arrangement, so the same words, size and seed always produce the same puzzle. Press Regenerate for a different layout.
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4
Solve or download
The blank puzzle and the solution view are shown on the page. Download the puzzle as a PNG image, ready to print or embed.
How the generator places words
The algorithm is essentially a constraint solver:
- Start with the longest word placed horizontally in the centre.
- For each remaining word, find every position where it shares at least one letter with an already-placed word.
- Score candidates by number of intersections and resulting grid compactness.
- Place the best candidate; continue with the remaining words.
- Words that cannot share a letter with anything already placed go into a separate spot on the grid, or are left out when the grid runs out of space.
The generator accepts up to 28 words; 15-20 words are usually placed in an instant.
Building a word list that interlocks
- Include shared letters. Words that share common letters, especially vowels, are easy to interlock.
- Mix lengths. A few short words fill the gaps that long words leave.
- Letters only. The grid uses the basic Latin alphabet: accented letters, digits, hyphens and apostrophes are removed, and spaces split a line into separate words.
- Watch the length. A word longer than the grid size cannot be placed; keep every word at or below the grid size.
Grid size and density
| Words | Recommended grid | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| 5-10 | 10 x 10 | Easy |
| 10-20 | 13 x 13 | Medium |
| 20-28 | 15 x 15 | Dense |
Grids go up to 25 x 25 for very long words. More words per grid means a tighter interlock and a harder puzzle.
Classroom use
Crosswords test spelling and vocabulary in a less transactional way than a quiz. Useful adaptations:
- Unit vocabulary reviews: 15-20 terms from the current chapter.
- Language learning: answers in the language being studied.
- Concept review in STEM: words such as “friction” or “gravity” from the unit.
- Event ice-breakers: names of people at the event as answers.
Why some word lists do not fit
The solver needs letters that intersect. A word list where most words share no letters (e.g. all ending in Y, all containing no vowels) cannot form a well-interlocked grid. The tool places what it can and the summary shows how many of your words made it into the grid; the rest are left out. Shorten the list or pick words with common letters to fit more of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
The puzzle is downloaded as a PNG image. The download contains the grid with numbered cells and the word list, ready to print or embed. There is no PDF export, but any image tool can convert the PNG.
The generator tries several orderings and leaves out the words it cannot place. The summary above the grid shows how many of your words were placed. Remove the problem words or increase the grid size.
Letters only, one word per line. Spaces split a line into separate words, and hyphens, apostrophes and other punctuation are removed. Write multi-word answers as one word without spaces, for example BLACKHOLE.
The layout is fixed by the seed. The same words, grid size and seed always produce the same puzzle. Press Regenerate to get a different arrangement.
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