What it can and can’t do
A cryptic clue usually has two halves: a straight definition at the start or end, and wordplay that builds the same answer another way. Wordplay comes in many forms, from anagrams and hidden words to sounds-like, containers, initial letters and abbreviations. Reading all of that properly needs real understanding, so this solver doesn’t try to explain the wordplay of every clue.
What it does is handle the two types that can be checked mechanically, anagrams and hidden words, and give you every dictionary word that fits your crossing letters. That is often enough to crack the clue, or at least to test an idea.
Anagram clues
Anagram clues contain an indicator, a word suggesting change or disorder, such as broken, confused, wild, novel, odd, out or perhaps. The letters to rearrange, called the fodder, sit next to the indicator and have exactly as many letters as the answer.
When the solver spots an indicator, it tries the runs of words beside it that have the right number of letters and shows any rearrangements that fit your pattern. For example, in Pay attention to silent mixed-up words (6) the indicator is mixed and SILENT rearranges to LISTEN. If no fodder fits, try picking the letters yourself in the anagram solver.
Hidden word clues
In a hidden word clue the answer is written inside the clue, across the gaps between words, and words like in, some, part of or holds point to it. Some setters hide the answer backwards, signalled by words such as back, returning or up in a down clue. The solver checks every run of letters in the clue, forwards and backwards, and lists the real words that fit.
Questions and answers
Can it explain the wordplay in any cryptic clue?
No. It finds anagrams and hidden words, which can be checked letter by letter, and lists words that fit your pattern. Other kinds of wordplay need you to read the clue.
What is an anagram indicator?
A word suggesting rearrangement, such as broken, mixed, wild, novel or out. The letters to rearrange are usually right next to it.
How do I enter the answer length?
Put it in brackets at the end of the clue, such as (7) or (3,4), or type the pattern of known letters with question marks.
Is this the same as the crossword solver?
It is the same search, with this page explaining the cryptic tricks it looks for. For whole grids, use the crossword helper.