Skip to content
100% local

Crossword generator

Turn a list of words and clues into an interlocking crossword puzzle with a numbered legend.

Words and clues (one per line)
Output

Crossword generator

Paste a list of words with their clues — one per line, word and definition separated by a colon — and this tool arranges them into a crossword grid where matching letters interlock, the way a real crossword is built. It is aimed at teachers building a vocabulary quiz, puzzle hobbyists testing a word list, or anyone who needs a printable crossword without installing puzzle software.

The grid size option sets the maximum width and height the puzzle may use; a larger grid gives more words room to cross, while too small a grid causes some entries to be left out. The separator option controls what splits a word from its clue on each line, and the empty cell character fills every square that is not a numbered clue start. Turn on numbering to mark each word's starting square and list the numbered clues under Across and Down, or turn it off for a plain filled grid with no numbers. The layout strategy chooses whether the tool favors more crossings between words or the smallest possible grid, and ignoring diacritics lets accented and plain letters cross — so Ž and Z can share a square — at the cost of the accent in the final grid.

Not every word in a list can be placed: one longer than the grid, or one that shares no letter with anything already placed, is left out. Turn on the option to list unplaced words to see exactly which entries to shorten or which grid size to grow, and turn on the filled solution to also print the same grid with every letter revealed as an answer key.

Everything runs in your browser: word lists and clues are never uploaded anywhere. Copy the puzzle, download it as a .txt file to print, or send the output back into the input to keep refining the list.

FAQ

Why were some of my words left out?
A word is skipped when it is longer than the grid or shares no letter with any word already placed. Turn on the option to list unplaced words to see which ones, then shorten the list or increase the grid size.
What does the layout strategy option change?
More intersections packs words tightly around each other for a denser puzzle. Smaller grid instead keeps the overall size down, which can mean a looser layout with fewer crossings.
Can I show the finished grid instead of a blank one?
Yes. Turn on 'Show filled solution' to print a second grid with every letter filled in, alongside the blank puzzle as an answer key.
What separator should I use between a word and its clue?
Anything that will not appear inside your clues — a colon (:) works for most lists. Change the separator option if your definitions already contain a colon.
Is my word list uploaded anywhere?
No. The crossword is built entirely in your browser — your words and clues never leave your device.