How to Play Daily Crossword: Rules and Scoring

Controls and allowed moves

Choose a clue to jump to its first square. Type a letter in each open square. The arrow keys move between adjacent open squares. The number in parentheses is the answer length. Entries save as you type.

How to Play Daily Crossword: Rules and Scoring. Fill an original 15-by-15 crossword with Across and Down clues, using crossings to test each answer. Across and Down, 15 x 15 grid, Score by correct squares — Illustration for this guide. Sources are linked below.

Solving strategy

Start with specific clues you know. A clue about a familiar object usually offers a firmer starting point than a broad verb. Use those crossing letters to narrow the answers to less specific clues.

Worked example

A four-letter clue for a place to moor boats might be DOCK. If a crossing gives P instead of D, PORT is another possibility. Check the other three crossings before changing the whole answer.

Common mistakes

Fill only the squares for the selected clue. A correct letter can support two words, and a wrong letter can spoil both. Read the crossing clue before replacing a letter you already entered.

Daily score calculation

Each correctly filled open square contributes an equal share of 1,000 points. You can submit a partial board. Filling every square correctly completes the game automatically.

Daily play and practice

Play free without an account. Sign in before starting a new ranked daily puzzle to enter its leaderboard. The same score also counts in the overall daily, weekly, monthly and all-time standings. Practice results stay in your personal history.