Are you a veteran of the black-and-white squares, a tried-and-true master of the grid? Or maybe it’s been decades since you last gave it a try? Perhaps you’re the type of person who gives theNew York Timesdaily a try every once in a while, but you’re not too bothered with winning? Whatever the case may be, you could almost certainly benefit from a little advice. Scroll down to explore some tips for solving crossword puzzles.
Believe in yourself.
Crossword puzzles may sometimes seem like tests of intelligence or vocabulary – and in some ways, they are – but they’re also about reading the clues correctly. Anyone can do that! So embrace your inner optimist, and give it your all!
Use a pencil, not a pen.
Only those who are truly daring will complete a crossword puzzle with a nonerasable pen. Why? Gameplay typically involves extensive erasing and rewriting. So if you feel like you’re erasing a lot, don’t worry! That’s all part of the fun. It doesn’t mean that you’re bad at crossword puzzles. It means that you know how to adapt, which is essential when solving a crossword puzzle.
Tackle the easiest clues first.
Scan through the clues, and knock out all the easiest ones. Not only will this give your gameplay some structure, but also it’ll give you an ego boost! Typically, fill-in-the-blank clues are the easiest. For example: “___ of Oz.”
Confirm an answer by solving the entries that cross it.
If you think you have the correct answer but you’re not positive, attempt to fill in the entries that cross it. You may find that your first idea no longer works logistically. Be flexible, and light on your toes. Sometimes a clue that seems to have an obvious answer will have another logical solution.
Make guesses.
Sometimes when you’re stuck, the only way to move forward is to make an educated guess and see how that affects the puzzle. Lightly pencil in the letters you’re uncertain about so that you know to confirm them later.
It’s okay to look stuff up!
Some people might call this cheating, but are you in a competition or playing a game for fun? If you really can’t nail down an answer, go ahead and look it up. Look at it as a learning opportunity, and try to store it in your brain for next time.
Ask a friend for help.
A crossword puzzle doesn’t have to be a solitary amusem*nt. It’s often easier and more fun to complete a puzzle with the help of a friend. Where you might know all the answers relating to movies and literature, maybe your friend’s brain is crammed full of sports trivia and historical facts. And if you’re in a group, don’t be afraid to ask the room for advice. “Does anyone know a six-letter word for merry play?” This is a great way to spark some conversation.
Take a break.
There’s no rule that you have to complete the puzzle in one sitting. So if you’re struggling, take a break and come back to it later. You might have a whole new perspective on those tricky clues!
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What do you think? Will these tips for solving crossword puzzles improve your game? Or were you already a crossword champion? Even if you’re still terrible at solving crossword puzzles, we encourage you to give them a try every once in a while. Not only can they improve your mental flexibility, but also they can help you learn new things and impress your friends!
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FAQs
Fill-in-the-Blank Clues
Fill-in-the-blank (FITB) clues are generally the simplest clues to solve. They are easily spotted in the clue list so go through these first. Getting one or two of these clues can help to get the ball rolling and will give you a good starting point on which to solve the puzzle.
What is the trick to solving crossword puzzles? ›
Fill-in-the-Blank Clues
Fill-in-the-blank (FITB) clues are generally the simplest clues to solve. They are easily spotted in the clue list so go through these first. Getting one or two of these clues can help to get the ball rolling and will give you a good starting point on which to solve the puzzle.
How do I improve my crossword puzzle skills? ›
Practice daily so you can keep improving your solving skills. It takes a bit of time and practice to catch on to all the little quirks in crossword puzzles, so make puzzling a part of your routine. Take a few minutes in the morning or at night to sit down and work through a crossword puzzle.
Why can't I solve crosswords? ›
Keep an open mind. Crossword creators do love to create clues that confuse. They will often use words in a clue that will lead you down the wrong track. They could, for instance, use words that have two different meanings, such as bark, which could refer to the sound a dog makes or the outer covering of a tree.
Is there any trick to solve puzzles? ›
EXPERT TIP: Work on a small section at a time instead of trying to place pieces throughout the puzzle. Starting with an area that has a pattern or wording and working your way out, work your way toward the edge of the puzzle. If you get stuck, start on a new section.
How to solve crosswords easily? ›
Solve shorter answers next.
Shorter answers are a little easier to answer than longer ones. Focus on clues with 3, 4, or 5 letters next. Remember, the more space you fill up in the puzzle, the easier it'll be to identify harder words and clues. Pro Tip: Crossword answers tend to range from 3 to 21 letters.
What is the most used word in crossword puzzles? ›
Don't be intimidated by crossword puzzles. “ERA” is the most common entry in crosswords, as well as “ARE,” “AREA,” and “ORE.” If a clue is in plural, the word will probably end in “S.” “Cheating” by checking a letter or word is encouraged if you're stuck.
What is the hardest day for crossword puzzles? ›
The crosswords are designed to increase in difficulty throughout the week, with the easiest on Monday and the most difficult on Saturday. The larger Sunday crossword, which appears in The New York Times Magazine, is an icon in American culture; it is typically intended to be as difficult as a Thursday puzzle.
What does FR stand for in crosswords? ›
Force = f, n. Former = ex. Fort = ft. French = fr.
Why do I struggle with crosswords? ›
Because crosswords rely on your vocabulary. No matter how well-spoken you believe yourself to be, you probably don't yet have the often specialist vocabulary necessary for complex puzzles. And, the only way to get it is to complete plenty of basic puzzles first.
Higher problem solving ability appears to play a role in enabling elite solvers to excel." People who regularly spend all day struggling over a fiendish clue should not feel downhearted, however.
Are crossword puzzles good for your brain? ›
Research has shown a positive correlation between crossword puzzles and daily life functions, especially for people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Experts emphasize that larger clinical trials are needed to unravel the observed associations between crossword puzzles and how our brains function.
Why am I not good at word puzzles? ›
"Most people have good implicit knowledge of their language. But word games often require meta knowledge (knowledge ABOUT the words or their structure), which often has to be explicit," he told NBCLX via email. "We tend to be worse at using explicit knowledge about language.
What is the most common letter in crosswords? ›
In crossword puzzles, S was the most frequent consonant and the third most frequent 1etter (after E and A). By contrast, most crypt ologists agre,e that in general writing T is the most frequent consonant, and the second most frequent letter.
What is the average time to solve a crossword? ›
However, for beginners or less experienced solvers, the average time might be between five and ten minutes [1].
