Crossword Puzzle Generator
Arrange a word-and-clue list into a printable crossword grid in the browser. Your work stays on this device whenever possible.
How to use Crossword Puzzle Generator
- Write one entry per line in "Words and clues — one per line" as WORD | clue; the four sample lines starting with PLANET | A world that orbits a star are preloaded.
- Words keep letters from any language (accents and non-Latin scripts included), so "café" stays CAFÉ; a line with no clue is labelled Entry plus its line number.
- Choose "Grid size", 15 × 15 or 21 × 21; a word longer than the grid is dropped and named in the status, but the rest of the puzzle still generates.
- Press "Generate crossword" and read the status line, which either confirms every entry fitted or lists those that could not.
- Download crossword-puzzle.png and crossword-answer-key.png from the links below the preview.
Worked example
Keep the four preloaded lines (PLANET, PLANT, LATE, TEA) at 15 × 15 and press "Generate crossword". PLANET, the longest, is laid across the middle row and the other words are attached where letters match. The status reads either "All 4 entries were fitted." or "Placed N of 4" followed by the leftover words.
When to use this tool
- Turning a vocabulary list into a printable classroom crossword with an answer key.
- Building a themed puzzle for a staff newsletter from company jargon.
- Testing which words in a study set connect through shared letters.
Important limitations
Employs backtracking intersection heuristics. Highly dense grids require words with common vowel and consonant intersections. Words with zero shared letters will be placed as separate puzzle sections.
Comparing alternatives
Other options for crossword puzzle generator include Crossword Labs, PuzzleFast, The Teacher’s Corner.
ToolkitPoint is not affiliated with those services.
Frequently asked questions
Why were some of my words left out?
The generator makes multiple seeded attempts (retrying with a different layout order) to fit every word, favouring crossings near the centre. A word that still has nowhere to attach after every attempt -- or is longer than the grid -- appears under "Could not fit", with the reason given.
Can I solve the puzzle on screen?
Yes -- an on-screen play mode lets you type letters into the grid with keyboard arrow navigation, Check and Reveal buttons, and a timer. The original blank-grid and answer-key image downloads are still there for printing.
Are long clues shortened?
Yes. Each printed clue line, including its number and Across or Down label, is cut at 52 characters, so keep clues brief or the ending disappears from the image.
Will the same input give the same layout?
Not necessarily. The generator now makes multiple seeded random-restart attempts to fit as many words as possible, so the layout can vary between runs. The seed used is reported, and a shareable link preserves one exact layout.
How are the clue numbers assigned?
Squares are numbered in reading order from the top left. If an Across and a Down word start on the same square, they share one number, and the list shows Across before Down for that number.