Solving the Cryptoquip
The Cryptoquip is a daily newspaper puzzle: a short, usually punning sentence in which every letter has been swapped for another. Each day comes with a clue that gives away one letter, such as Q equals T.
Type the puzzle into the box exactly as it appears, keeping the spaces and apostrophes, and put the clue into the Clue box, for example Q = T. Press Reveal one letter to get a nudge, or Solve to see the full answer. Letters you have worked out can be typed into the key and stay locked.
Because Cryptoquips are short and full of word play, the answer can sometimes be one of two or three possibilities. If a word looks odd, lock the letters you are confident about and solve again; the pun usually becomes clear once a couple of words are in place.
Cryptoquip tips
Use the clue letter first and look at every word it appears in. Then look for the punchline: Cryptoquips usually end with a pun, so the last few words often form a familiar phrase with a twist.
Apostrophes are a gift. A word ending in an apostrophe and a single letter is nearly always followed by S, T, D or M, and two letters after an apostrophe are often LL, RE or VE.
Questions and answers
Is this site connected to the Cryptoquip?
No. We are an independent site and are not affiliated with the Cryptoquip, its publisher or any newspaper. The solver simply helps with letter-substitution puzzles of the same kind.
How do I enter the clue?
Type it into the Clue box as two letters with an equals sign, for example Q = T. You can enter more than one, separated by commas.
Why did it get a word wrong?
Cryptoquips are short and full of puns, so sometimes several answers fit. Lock the letters you are sure of and solve again.
Can I solve it myself with hints?
Yes. Press Reveal one letter as often as you like. Each press shows one more letter, starting with the most common one in the puzzle.