Games like Wordle
Wordle is brilliant and it's over in two minutes. If you want the same daily ritual with a bit more to chew on, here's what to try, and how Cruxword, the game we make, does it differently.
What makes Wordle work
- One puzzle a day, the same for everyone. You can talk about it with anyone who played.
- Short. It fits around a coffee or a commute.
- A spoiler-free share. The coloured grid tells your story without giving the answer away.
- No account, no download. Open the page and play.
Every game on this page keeps those four things. What changes is the puzzle itself.
Cruxword: build, don't guess
In Cruxword everyone gets the same 21 letter tiles, 7 vowels and 14 consonants. Instead of guessing a hidden word, you build one connected crossword from them. There's no single right answer, so the question isn't "did you get it?" but "how good is yours?"
| Wordle | Cruxword | |
|---|---|---|
| The puzzle | Guess one hidden five-letter word | Build a crossword from 21 letters |
| Answers | One | Thousands of possible grids |
| Result | Solved in 1 to 6, or not | A score, and your rank among every player |
| Tries | Six guesses | Submit as often as you like; your best grid counts |
| Skills | Deduction, letter frequency | Vocabulary, anagramming, spatial planning |
| Sharing | Coloured squares | Score, rank and the outline of your grid |
| Cost | Free daily puzzle | Free daily puzzle |
Scoring is simple: +10 for every tile you place, +5 for every letter past three in a word, +10 for every square where two words cross, and +50 for using all 21 tiles. The full rules are on how to play, and our tips page shows how the best grids are built.
If you came to word games through Scrabble or crosswords, Cruxword will feel like home: it's the tile rack without the waiting for your opponent. And because you can submit a quick grid in a few minutes or keep improving it all day, it suits both the two-minute player and the one who likes to come back at lunch.
More games like Wordle
Quordle More Wordle
Four Wordle boards at once with nine guesses. The closest thing to "Wordle, but longer".
Waffle Wordle colours, new puzzle
The letters of six interlocking words are scrambled; swap them back into place within a limited number of swaps.
Connections Same daily ritual
Sort sixteen words into four hidden groups. Less about spelling, more about spotting the trick.
Contexto Guess by meaning
Guess the secret word, with each guess ranked by how close its meaning is. Wordle's guessing loop, but for ideas instead of letters.
Squaredle Find every word
Trace words through a small letter grid until you've found them all. Good if you liked hunting for Wordle openers.
For the full list with what each game is best at, see the best daily word games.
Questions
What is a good game like Wordle?
If you want more Wordle, try Quordle. If you want the same daily ritual with a different puzzle, try Connections, Waffle, Contexto or Cruxword, where everyone builds a crossword from the same 21 letters and gets a score and a rank.
How is Cruxword different from Wordle?
Wordle has one hidden answer to guess. Cruxword has no single answer: you build your own crossword from the day's 21 letters and score points for tiles, long words, crossings and using every tile. You see your rank against every other player and can keep improving your grid all day.
Is Cruxword free like Wordle?
Yes. The daily puzzle is free in your browser with no account or download. Cruxword Plus is an optional upgrade for the full archive and unlimited practice.
Can I share Cruxword results without spoilers?
Yes. The share card shows your score, rank and the outline of your grid, never your words, so friends can still play the same puzzle.
Wordle is a trademark of The New York Times Company. Cruxword is independent and not affiliated with any game named here. Last checked 2 November 2026.