How to Solve Cryptic Crosswords: Complete Guide

Cryptic crosswords look impossible at first. Every clue seems like nonsense. But once you learn the rules, they become addictive puzzles where every clue is a small wordplay game.

The Golden Rule

Every cryptic crossword clue has two parts:

• A straight definition (usually at the start or end)


• A wordplay construction (the rest of the clue)

The trick is figuring out where one ends and the other begins.

The 8 Wordplay Types

There are 8 standard wordplay types used in cryptic crosswords:

• Anagram — Letters rearranged. Look for indicator words like "crazy", "wild", "mixed".
• Hidden Word — Answer hidden inside the clue text. Look for "in", "within", "part of".
• Container — One word placed inside another. Look for "around", "holding", "into".
• Reversal — Word spelled backwards. Look for "back", "returned", "reflected".
• Double Definition — Two definitions, one answer.
• Cryptic Definition — Tricky surface reading that misleads.
• Charade — Words chained together. Look for "and", "following", "then".
• Abbreviation — Common cryptic shortcuts (L = leader, O = nothing).

Practice Makes Perfect

The best way to learn is to try. Use our free solver to check your answers, and our AI explainer to understand why each answer works.