How to use the crossword helper
Start with the grid. Upload a photo or screenshot of the puzzle, or take one with your phone. The helper looks for the grid, counts the squares and works out which ones are black. It is not perfect, so it always shows you the grid first: tap any square to switch it between black and white, or change the size, until it matches your puzzle. If you prefer, choose a size and start with a blank grid instead.
Next, paste or type the clues. Put Across and Down on their own lines, then one clue per line with its number and, if it has one, the answer length in brackets, such as 5 Left in a hurry (3,3). Numbering is worked out from the black squares, so each clue lines up with its place in the grid.
Press Start solving and fill in letters as you would on paper. Tap a square to choose it, tap again to switch between across and down, and use the arrow keys or the clue list to move around. Your progress is saved on this device, so you can come back to it later.
Getting help with an answer
Show words that fit lists dictionary words with the right length that match the letters you already have from crossing answers, most common first. For answers of more than one word, such as (3,4), you get a list for each word. Tap a word to try it in the grid.
Check this word tells you whether the letters in an answer make a real word that fits. It cannot tell you whether it is the right answer to the clue, because that needs the puzzle’s own solution. Check grid does the same for every finished answer and highlights any that are not in our word list.
For cryptic clues, the anagram helper spots common anagram signals such as broken, mixed or wild. Tap the clue words to use their letters, and it will show anagrams of the right length that fit your crossing letters.
Hints that understand what a clue means, and checking answers against the real solution, would need an answer key or an AI service. We have not added those; everything here works from the word list and runs on your own device.
Photos and privacy
Your photo never leaves your phone or computer. The grid is found by the page itself, and puzzles and progress are stored only in your browser. Please use the helper for puzzles you are solving yourself and do not republish other people’s puzzles.
For the best results, photograph the grid straight on, in good light, filling most of the picture with the grid. Screenshots of puzzle apps and scans work best of all. Clue text is not read from the photo, so paste or type the clues.
Questions and answers
Can it read the clues from my photo?
Not yet. The helper finds the grid and black squares from a photo, but clues need to be pasted or typed. This keeps the page fast and means nothing is uploaded.
Why does it say a word fits rather than that it is correct?
Without the puzzle’s own answers, the helper can only check that a word is real and fits the length and crossing letters. Several words can fit; the clue decides which one is right.
The grid came out wrong. What can I do?
Tap squares to switch them between black and white, or change the number of rows and columns. A straighter, closer photo or a screenshot usually gives a better result.
Is my puzzle saved?
Yes, on this device only. Your grid, clues and letters are kept in your browser so you can carry on later. Nothing is sent to us.
Does it work with cryptic crosswords?
Yes. Words that fit help with any crossword, and the anagram helper is made for cryptic clues that hide an anagram.