Cruxword is a free daily word game. Everyone gets the same 21 letters: 7 vowels and 14 consonants. Build one connected crossword from them, then see how your score ranks against every other player.
Rules
- Place the day's letter tiles on the 13 × 13 board. Each tile can be used once.
- Every run of two or more letters, across or down, must be a word in the dictionary.
- All your tiles must join up into one connected grid.
- You don't have to use every tile, but unused tiles cost points.
- Submit your grid to see your rank. You can keep improving it all day; only your best score counts.
Scoring
| What | Points |
|---|---|
| Each tile on the board | +10 |
| Each letter past three in a word | +5 |
| Each crossing square (part of an across and a down word) | +10 |
| Using all 21 tiles | +50 |
| Each unused tile | −5 |
A worked example
Puzzle No. 1 dealt these letters:
Our solver built this grid. ADMIRATION runs across; PERUSALS, JAR and VOW run down through it.
| Scoring | Points |
|---|---|
| 21 tiles placed × 10 | +210 |
| Word length: ADMIRATION 7 past three, PERUSALS 5, JAR and VOW 0 = 12 × 5 | +60 |
| 3 crossing squares (the A, A and O of ADMIRATION) × 10 | +30 |
| All 21 tiles used | +50 |
| Unused tiles | 0 |
| Total | 350 |
That 350 is the puzzle's par. Every past puzzle in the archive has one, so you can practise and try to beat it.
Tips
- Go long. A ten-letter word earns 35 bonus points on top of its tiles. Find your longest word first and build off it.
- Cross often. Every square shared by an across and a down word is worth 10 more. Short words hung across a long spine add up fast.
- Use all 21 tiles. Finishing the rack is worth 50, so a single leftover tile costs 65 points: its own 10, the 50 bonus and a 5-point penalty. Two-letter words are the easiest way to place the last few tiles.
- Mind awkward letters. Place J, X and Z early while there is still room around them.
Questions
Is Cruxword free?
Yes. The daily puzzle is free to play in your browser with no account and no download. Cruxword Plus is an optional upgrade for the full archive and unlimited practice racks.
When does the puzzle reset?
A new puzzle starts every day at midnight in your own time zone. Everyone who plays on the same date gets the same 21 letters.
How is my rank calculated?
The server re-scores every grid you submit and keeps your best one for the day. Your rank is one plus the number of players who scored more than you, so tied scores share a rank. Your percentile is the share of other players whose best score is at or below yours.
Which words are allowed?
Every run of two or more letters, across or down, must be a word in the Cruxword dictionary. Two-letter words count. If any run on the board is not a word, the grid cannot be submitted.
Can I play past puzzles?
Yes. The archive lists every past puzzle with its letters and par, the score of an example grid built by our solver. Play any of them and try to beat par.