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CryptogramMediumFree PDFUpdated for 2026

Famous Quotes Cryptogram

Decode 5 famous sayings from Franklin, Emerson and Twain

Five famous sayings, each turned into a letter-substitution cipher, from writers whose words are in the public domain: Benjamin Franklin, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Mark Twain. A few letters are given to start you off, and the answer key prints on its own page.

CryptogramPreview

Famous Quotes Cryptogram

Decode 5 famous sayings from Franklin, Emerson and Twain

Phrase 1

J
I
X
X
Y
D
T
I
S
M
R
I
A
A
I
Q
A
B
W
T
J
I
X
X
M
W
S
Y

Hint: A = T

Phrase 2

W
T
S
T
U
I
M
A
F
I
T
A
S
T
C
T
D
J
X
I
Y
O
I
L
W
N
M
A
B
I
R
I
M
A
S
T
A
I
Q
I
M
A

Hint: A = T

+ 3 more phrases in the PDF

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What is a Cryptogram?

A cryptogram is a substitution cipher puzzle where each letter has been replaced by a different letter. Your goal is to decode the hidden quote by figuring out which cipher letter maps to which original letter.

How to solve it

Start by looking for single-letter words (likely A or I), then short common words. Use letter frequency — E, T, A, and O appear most often in English. Once you crack a few letters, the rest fall into place.

Who is this for?

Cryptograms work especially well for middle school through adult solvers. They build pattern recognition, logical reasoning, and vocabulary. Seniors find them a satisfying daily brain exercise.

About this puzzle

Free printable famous quotes cryptogram: decode 5 classic sayings from Benjamin Franklin, Emerson and Mark Twain. Medium level, answer key. Instant PDF.

  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Format: US Letter PDF with answer key
  • Free to download, print, and use
  • Commercial use allowed for KDP publishers

Step-by-step: solving the Famous Quotes Cryptogram

  1. Print the puzzle. Download and print the free cryptogram PDF. The cipher uses one consistent letter substitution throughout.
  2. Find single-letter words. Look for any single-letter words in the cipher — in English these are almost always A or I.
  3. Spot common short words. Short words like THE, AND, IS, OF, and TO appear frequently. Plug them in once their letter pattern matches.
  4. Apply letter frequency. The most common English letters are E, T, A, O, I, N, S, H, R. The most common cipher letters likely map to these.
  5. Verify with the answer key. Once decoded, check your full plaintext against the answer key on the second page.

Frequently asked questions

How do you solve a cryptogram?›
Each letter of the alphabet stands for another letter, consistently through the puzzle. Start with one-letter words (A or I), then short common words like THE and AND, and use the letters you have cracked to fill in the rest.
Whose quotes are these?›
Benjamin Franklin, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Mark Twain. All five sayings are more than a century old and in the public domain.
Are there more cryptograms like this?›
Yes. The Famous Quotes Puzzle Pack has two more quote cryptograms plus a crossword, a word search and a scramble on the theme of great sayings, and the free cryptogram maker lets you turn any quote into a puzzle.
Is the cipher a simple letter substitution?›
Yes. One letter consistently substitutes for another throughout the whole quote. Once you decode a few letters, the rest typically fall into place.
Are punctuation and spaces preserved?›
Yes. Word boundaries, capitalization, and punctuation are kept intact so you can use word-shape clues while solving.
What age is a cryptogram appropriate for?›
Cryptograms suit middle school through adult. They build pattern recognition, letter-frequency reasoning, and vocabulary at the same time.

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