PW PrintablesWorld

Crossword Generator

Create printable crossword grids with numbered clues.

Supply your word list and optional clues. Control grid size, intersections, and attempts, then export a PDF with Across and Down lists.

Crossword options

Provide your words, adjust grid size, and tune intersections. Clues are optional; all processing stays in your browser.

Generated a fresh grid.

Words are uppercased and deduplicated. Clues tie to words if provided with the same spelling. Selecting a bank replaces the list above.

Grid preview

Cells are numbered for Across and Down clues. Toggle the solution to reveal filled letters.

Puzzle 1

1C
2PARK
3LS
O4TEA
NL
5B6RIDGE
IO
VN
7TUBE
8RAIN

Puzzle 2

1M
2ISLAND
R
K
E
T

Require intersections to keep the puzzle compact. Unused cells become blocks.

Clues

Across and Down lists follow standard numbering. Toggle the solution to show or hide answers.

Across

  • 2. PARKAnswer: PARK
  • 4. TEAAnswer: TEA
  • 5. BRIDGEAnswer: BRIDGE
  • 7. TUBEAnswer: TUBE
  • 8. RAINAnswer: RAIN

Down

  • 1. CASTLEAnswer: CASTLE
  • 3. LONDONAnswer: LONDON
  • 6. RIVERAnswer: RIVER

Clues use the same wording you provide. Missing clues fall back to the answer text.

Placement summary

Review which entries landed on the grid. Export uses the same data shown here.

Placed

  • BRIDGE — across at row 6, col 3
  • LONDON — down at row 3, col 6
  • CASTLE — down at row 1, col 8
  • RIVER — down at row 6, col 4
  • PARK — across at row 2, col 7
  • TUBE — across at row 9, col 1
  • RAIN — across at row 10, col 4
  • TEA — across at row 4, col 8
  • ISLAND — across at row 6, col 3
  • MARKET — down at row 5, col 6

Unplaced / rejected

  • THAMES
  • MUSEUM

Entries are uppercased and deduplicated. Keep clues aligned with the final word spellings for clean exports.

How generation works

  • Words are uppercased, deduplicated, and sorted by length before placement.
  • The longest word starts centered. Following words try crossings that maximize intersections.
  • Attempts and backtracking settings influence how many candidates are explored.
  • Blocks fill unused cells. Numbering follows standard Across/Down rules.

What you’ll get

You’ll see a clean crossword grid with numbered clues. Toggle the solution view to reveal answers, then export or print in one click.

A quick note

Puzzles are generated in your browser and can vary by settings. Printing results can differ by printer and margins.

How the crossword generator works

Words are cleaned, scored, and placed with required intersections. Numbering follows standard crossword rules, and clues map to Across and Down lists for export and printing.

What you can choose

  • Word list and optional clues
  • Grid size and attempt limits
  • Minimum crossings and intersections
  • Seed for repeatable puzzles
  • Include answers toggle

What you’ll see

  • Numbered crossword grid
  • Across and Down clue lists
  • Optional answer key
  • Printable layout

Step‑by‑step

  1. Paste your words and optional clues.
  2. Set grid size and intersection rules.
  3. Generate the puzzle and review the preview.
  4. Toggle answers if you want a solution page.
  5. 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 and an optional answer key ready to print.

Helpful tips

  • Use 10–25 words for a compact, readable grid.
  • Shorter words make intersections easier.
  • Provide clear, simple clues for faster solving.
  • Use a seed if you want repeatable puzzles.

Limits to keep in mind

Crosswords are generated by algorithmic scoring rather than handcrafted clue design. Some word lists are hard to fit into tight grids, so you may see unplaced words. Printing results can vary by browser and printer margins.

FAQs

Quick answers

How does this crossword generator work?

It places your words into a crossword grid using intersection rules, backtracking attempts, and scoring for compact layouts. You can include clues and export numbered Across/Down lists.

Can I control intersections and attempts?

Yes. You can require intersections, choose minimum crossings, set backtracking depth, attempts, and supply an optional seed for reproducibility.

How do I include clues?

Add lines in the format WORD = clue or WORD<TAB>clue. Clues will appear in Across/Down lists with standard crossword numbering.

Can I print or download?

Yes. Use the built-in preview and export. Desktop mirrors the Word Search print flow; mobile downloads a PDF directly.

Can I print on A4 or US Letter?

Yes. The preview is print‑ready for standard paper sizes, and you can choose A4 or US Letter in your printer dialog.

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Last updated February 3, 2026.