Free puzzle generator

Crossword puzzle maker — free printable crosswords

Type one word and its clue per line. The grid is laid out automatically, numbered the standard way, and downloads as a PDF with the answer key on page 2.

Examples
Paper
Fall crosswordName ____________________123456789101112131415AcrossDown4.Drink made from apples (5)5.Tall tree that grows acorns (3)8.Straw figure that guards the field (9)10.Season between summer and winter (6)11.They turn red, orange and yellow (6)14.Tree whose leaf is on a flag; it gives syrup (5)15.Wagon trip on bales of dry grass (7)1.Bushy-tailed animal that hides nuts (8)2.Farm full of fruit trees (7)3.Picking the crops when they are ready (7)6.A squirrel's favorite nut (5)7.Cozy knitted top for chilly days (7)9.You pick one at the patch (7)12.Crunchy fruit picked in the orchard (5)13.Tool for making a pile of leaves (4)linecraft.page · free crossword maker
15 words placed · free, no sign-up

How to make a crossword puzzle

  1. Type a title, then one entry per line: the word, a dash, and the clue — for example “acorn – Nut that grows on an oak tree”.
  2. The longest word goes in first and every other word has to cross one already in the grid, so the puzzle is always connected.
  3. If a word can’t cross anything it is listed under the form. Press Shuffle for a new layout, or add a word that shares letters with it.
  4. Download the PDF: page 1 is the numbered grid with Across and Down clues, page 2 is the filled-in answer key. PNG and Print work too.

Tips for good classroom crosswords

  • 10–20 words is the sweet spot for one page; more words make the grid and the clues smaller.
  • Mix long and short words, and words with common letters (E, A, R, S, T) — they cross more easily.
  • Write clues at the reader’s level: a definition, a fill-in-the-blank (“Trick or ___”), or a picture word.
  • Spaces and punctuation are removed, so “ice cream” becomes ICECREAM; say “(two words)” in the clue.
  • The number in brackets after each clue is the word length, which helps younger solvers.

Ideas for word lists

  • Weekly spelling or vocabulary words with their definitions
  • Science unit terms (parts of a plant, the solar system, the water cycle)
  • Book report characters and places
  • Holiday and seasonal words
  • A birthday puzzle with facts about the guest of honor

Ready-made themed crosswords

Christmas crossword · Halloween crossword · Thanksgiving crossword · Fall crossword · Winter crossword · Spring crossword · Summer crossword · Animals crossword · Ocean crossword · Back to school crossword · Easter crossword · Dinosaur crossword

More puzzles: the word search maker and color by number printables.

Frequently asked questions

Is the crossword maker free?

Yes. Make, download and print as many crosswords as you like, with no sign-up and no watermark.

Does it include an answer key?

Yes. The PDF has the puzzle on page 1 and the completed grid with every answer on page 2.

Why didn’t all my words fit?

Every word has to cross another word. A word with uncommon letters may have nothing to cross; press Shuffle for another layout or add a word that shares its letters.

How many words can I use?

Up to about 25 fit on one page. The grid is limited to 19×19 squares so it stays readable when printed.

Are my words saved or uploaded?

No. The crossword is built in your browser and nothing is sent to our server.

Updated 2026-10-07