Print Guide
Crossword Generator Guide: Printable Puzzles with Clues
Crosswords are fun, but building one by hand gets tricky fast. A generator solves the hard part — fitting words together — so you can focus on the ideas. In this guide, I’ll show you how to make clean printable crosswords, format clues the easy way, and get a puzzle that looks great on paper.
If you want the quick route, open the Crossword Generator and start. If you want the details, keep reading.
Quick answer: what makes a good crossword?
A good crossword feels balanced. You want enough intersections that words connect, but not so many long words that the grid becomes impossible. Clear, short clues help a lot too. If you’re building puzzles for beginners, keep words familiar and clues direct.
- Use 10–25 words for a compact, readable grid.
- Mix short and long words so intersections are easier.
- Write simple clues if your audience is new to crosswords.
How a crossword generator works (plain English)
A generator tries to place your words on a grid so they intersect. It scores different layouts, backtracks when a word doesn’t fit, and picks a compact layout with good crossings. Once the grid is set, it numbers the clues and creates Across and Down lists.
You can tune how strict it is by adjusting minimum crossings, attempts, or grid size.
Clue formatting: the easy way
The simplest format is:
WORD = clueWORD\tclue
If you don’t add clues, you can still generate a puzzle, but the clue lists will be blank.
Step‑by‑step: generate a clean printable crossword
- Paste your word list and optional clues.
- Choose grid size and intersection rules.
- Generate and review the preview.
- Toggle answers if you want a solution page.
- Print or export.
A quick example
Example: a 13×13 grid with minimum crossings enabled and clues included. The preview shows a numbered grid with Across/Down lists, plus an optional answer key for printing.
Tips for better grids
- Use more short words if your list won’t fit.
- Increase grid size if you have many long words.
- Use a seed if you want a repeatable puzzle.
Print tips
- Print at 100% scale.
- Use the correct paper size in your printer dialog.
- Test a single page before printing a full set.
For paper size help, use the Paper Sizes Calculator.
Related puzzle tools
Summary
A good crossword is about balance: enough intersections to feel connected, clear clues, and a readable grid. The generator takes care of the layout so you can focus on the word list. When you’re ready, print a clean puzzle with Across/Down lists and optional answers.