Cryptic Crossword Solver
Find the definition
Separate the straight definition from the clue's surface reading before committing to an answer.
Cryptic crossword solver
Cryptic crossword solutions, not just answers.
Get cryptic crossword solutions with a defensible explanation for the definition, synonym, wordplay, indicators, answer length, known letters, and confidence level.
Built fordefensible cryptic parsing
Definition, wordplay, enumeration, and known letters are checked before confidence is assigned.
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Awaiting a clue
The result will appear here with a defensible parse and confidence level.
How it works
Built around verifiable clue mechanics.
Parse the wordplay
Check indicators, fodder, reversals, insertions, deletions, and other cryptic mechanisms.
Verify the answer
Compare enumeration and known letters, then calibrate confidence instead of guessing.
Cryptic clue guide
A crossword clue solver for the way cryptics actually work.
A strong cryptic answer needs more than a dictionary match. The clue should contain a direct definition and fair wordplay, with indicators that explain how the answer is built. Cryptic Crossword Solver is designed around that standard: it gives you the answer, but also shows why the answer fits.
Enter the clue as written
Include punctuation and the enumeration if you have it, such as (4) or (3,5).
Add constraints
Known letters like _O_E help reject plausible answers that do not fit your crossword grid.
Check the parse
Use the explanation, clue type, indicators, and confidence score to decide whether the solution is fair.
Supported clue types
Help for common cryptic crossword clue patterns.
Use the solver as a cryptic crossword helper when you need cryptic crossword solutions with a second pass on the wordplay.
Anagram clues
Look for words that suggest disorder, movement, repair, damage, or rearrangement. Then identify a nearby word or phrase with exactly the right letters for the answer length.
Hidden word clues
Watch for containment language such as some, part of, held by, seen in, or contains. Then scan the clue text itself before trying more complex wordplay.
Reversal clues
Look for words such as backward, returned, rising, coming up, westbound, or reversed. In down clues, words like up or rising are often fairer than they are in across clues.
Charade clues
Look for a clue that can be split into several small components. Common abbreviations such as R for right, L for left, and E for energy often appear in charades.
Homophone clues
Look for hearing-related indicators such as reportedly, we hear, said, spoken, on the radio, or audibly. Then test whether the sound-alike answer matches the definition.
Double definition clues
Look for short clues where two parts can independently define the same word. The surface may read naturally, but the clue is solved by recognising both definitions.
Example explanations
Cryptic clue examples with answer logic.
These examples show the kind of verification good cryptic crossword solutions should provide: answer, wordplay, and definition fit.
Clue
NOTEMixed tone gives message (4)
An anagram solution where TONE is mixed to make NOTE, matching the definition message.
Clue
EVILBackward live becomes wicked (4)
A reversal solution: LIVE read backward gives EVIL, which means wicked.
Clue
VALIDSome rival idol gives proper (5)
A hidden-word solution where VALID is concealed across rival idol and means proper.
FAQ
Cryptic crossword solver questions.
Quick answers for solvers using the tool as a crossword clue helper for cryptic crossword solutions.
What does this cryptic crossword solver do?
It provides cryptic crossword solutions with the likely definition, clue type, wordplay indicators, synonym checks, verification steps, and confidence level.
Can I use known letters or an answer length?
Yes. Add the answer length and any known letters to narrow the parse and reject answers that do not fit the grid.
Does it only solve anagrams?
No. It is designed to reason through common cryptic mechanisms including anagrams, hidden words, reversals, charades, containers, and deletions.
Should I trust every answer?
Treat the result as a reasoned clue explanation, not a final authority. The confidence label and verification steps help you decide whether the parse is defensible.