Welcome to the Crossword Help Line. Want to know something about crossword puzzles? Like how to solve a really annoying clue, perhaps? I think you'll find just what you need right here...
Just below you'll find all the crossword help categories I've identified so far — things like crossword solvers and dictionaries, online crossword puzzles, terminology, and so on. Under each category you'll find links to more detailed information that should get you sorted.
If you can't find what you need, I'm more than happy to give you some personalized crossword help. Just ask your question in the space provided a little way down the page. I'll do some homework for you, and publish the result.
Actually, I don't mind doing that, because I'm usually pretty interested in the answer myself ;-)
Crossword Helpers
After much research (not to mention a lot of fun!) I've determined the best crossword helpers available on the Web. Here they are in brief...
Across Lite is a free desktop application that lets you solve crossword puzzles on your computer screen.
Crossword Compiler is a crossword maker for Windows used by virtually all professional puzzle publishers in America.
Crossword Maestro is a desktop crossword solver that specializes in decoding cryptic crossword clues.
One Across is a website that helps you solve standard (i.e. non-cryptic) crossword clues online.
WordWeb Pro is a wordfinder application that puts together a whole bunch of dictionaries, thesauruses, crossword lists, and websites under one roof.
I've put together more detailed reviews in the following collections...
Crossword Solver Library - A bunch of high-powered tools for solving both American (Standard) and British (Cryptic) crossword puzzles
Crossword Maker Library - A collection of the best crossword construction tools in the industry
I've interviewed crossword experts from around the world to put together a bunch of articles filled with practical advice about making and solving crossword puzzles. Here's what I've got for you so far...
If you're here because you're having trouble following the lingo used in the crossword puzzle industry - by solvers and constructors alike - feel free to browse this Crossword Glossary.
The Crossword Help Glossary is a regularly updated alphabetical list of all the main terms and phrases you're likely to hear if you were to eavesdrop on a group of cruciverbalists ;-)
Got a Question About Crosswords?
Ask it here, and I'll try to get it answered for you within 48 hours!
Even if you don't need any specific Crossword help, please feel free to browse the questions and responses given by others. Some questions have led to great discussions!
If you know a bit about crosswords, you might even find you can help somebody else out with their question - if so, just click the Comments links provided below each question.
Click below to see the questions and advice other Word-Buff visitors have contributed...
Free Online Crossword Puzzles
Where's the best place to get good quality free online crossword puzzles? Also, what do I need on my computer to solve them?
Would you like to create your own crosswords for a class you teach, a newsletter you publish, or maybe to liven up your website or blog?
The tool I use for this site is called Crossword Compiler. The picture above shows all the types of crossword puzzle templates it has installed for quick-and-easy puzzle construction (Sudoku? What's that doing there? Blasphemy!).
The application ships with a tonne of built-in word lists and a tool that automatically creates all the crossword-fill for you and even works out the clues! What's left for you to do?
Well, if you want your puzzle published in the New York Times, you'll want to tweak the fill and the clues to get something truly fun and creative. But if you just need to create a crossword puzzle in a hurry, you can have one ready in less than a minute!
The main reason I got hold of Crossword Compiler was to create puzzles for this website. Click on the image below to see the online version of the crossword puzzle I created for Issue 4 of my Word Buff Stuff! newsletter.
While you're there, have a go at it if you like!
If it sounds like it might be just the thing you've been looking for to spice up your lessons, newsletter, blog, or even get your puzzles published professionally, you're in good company...
In my interviews with professional crossword constructors, I discovered that virtually all of them use it (even though some made the transition to the digital world reluctantly). Actually, that's how I found out about it.
So here's where you can check it out and have a play.
