What prints with the starting settings
| Paper | US Letter — 215.9 × 279.4 mm (8.5 × 11 in) |
|---|---|
| Grid | 15 × 15 squares |
| Clue area | Across and Down columns |
| Margins | 1/2″ |
| Line weight | 0.18 mm (bold 0.35 mm) |
| Print setting | Scale 100% / Actual size |
Write your own crossword
Making a crossword is a puzzle in itself: fitting words together so every square belongs to at least one word, then writing clues that are fair but not too easy. A blank grid with numbered clue space is the place to start. If you would rather type your answers and clues and have the grid built and numbered for you, use the crossword maker.
How to build one
- Choose a theme and list 10 to 20 words.
- Place the longest word across the middle of the grid.
- Cross other words through it, sharing letters.
- Shade every square that is not part of a word.
- Number the starting squares and write the clues under Across and Down.
Tips
- Smaller grids (9 × 9 or 11 × 11) are much easier for a first puzzle.
- Pencil words in first; crosswords take several tries.
- Keep a word list beside you and tick words off as they find a home.
- For a puzzle that is easier to make, try the word search maker.
Printing tips
Print at 100% / Actual size. A 15 × 15 grid on Letter or A4 has squares of roughly 1 cm, comfortable for handwriting.
Popular crossword grid sheets
Frequently asked questions
Which grid sizes are available?
9 × 9, 11 × 11, 13 × 13, 15 × 15, 17 × 17 and 21 × 21. Fifteen by fifteen is the classic daily newspaper size; 21 × 21 is common for larger weekend puzzles.
Does it fill in the black squares for me?
No. The grid is blank so you can shade the black squares to fit your own words. Most published crosswords use a pattern that looks the same when the grid is rotated half a turn.
Can I turn off the clue lines?
Yes. Turn off Lines for clues below and the grid grows to fill the page.
How do I number a crossword?
Number every white square that starts a word across or down, working left to right along each row from the top. Each number is used once even if it starts both an Across and a Down word.
Is this a good classroom activity?
Yes. Students who write a crossword from vocabulary words practise both spelling and definitions, then swap puzzles with a partner.
Will it print in black and white?
Yes; the grid is drawn in solid black lines.
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