How to make a crossword puzzle

Step by step

1. 1Open the free Crossword Maker.
2. 2Click + Add Word and type a word and its clue — the grid updates by itself.
3. 3Or click Paste a list, paste one WORD, clue per line, and press Use this list.
4. 4Or click Browse 70 themes and pick a theme; the title, words and clues fill in.
5. 5Click Re-lay grid for a new layout, and Answer key to check it.
6. 6Page themes, fonts and credit-free PDFs are Plus; everything else is free.
7. 7Click Download PDF and print.

Transcript

Here's how to make a crossword. It takes about a minute. Start with your words. Click Add Word, type the answer, then its clue. The grid redraws as you type. Already have a list? Paste it in, one word and clue per line, and the grid builds itself. No list yet? Start from a theme. Ten are free, and Plus adds sixty more. Pick one, and it all fills in. Or let the AI writer do the whole thing. That's Plus, too. Don't love the layout? Click Re-lay grid for a fresh one. Then check the answer key. It's free. Plus adds page themes and fonts. And a clean PDF, without the small credit line. Everything else you just saw is free. Now click Download PDF. Your puzzle and its answer key come down together. And there's your crossword, ready to hand out. Looks like someone's already started.

Chapter by chapter

0:04 Add words & clues

Add a word and its clue by hand, or paste a whole list — the grid lays itself out and numbers the clues.

0:19 Or start from a theme

Open Browse 70 themes and pick one; the title, words and clues fill in.

0:31 Re-lay & answer key

Re-lay grid gives a new layout from the same words; Answer key shows the solution, free.

0:38 The extras (Plus)

Page themes, fonts and credit-free PDFs come with Plus.

0:47 Download & print

Download the PDF: the crossword plus its answer key.

Parts marked Plus in the video need PuzzlePage Plus or a day pass. Everything else shown is free. See the plans.