What is Crosswordle?

Crosswordle at a Glance

Game type	Daily crossword logic puzzle
Grid size	7×7 (daily & unlimited) or 9×9
Mechanic	Swap color-coded letters into correct positions
Color clues	Green = correct, Yellow = right word / wrong spot, Grey = wrong word
Perfect score	6 stars (solve with 6 swaps remaining)
Price	Free — no download, no signup
Platforms	Any web browser (desktop & mobile)
Modes	Daily 7×7, Daily 9×9, Unlimited 7×7, Unlimited 9×9, Archive

If you enjoy games like Wordle, daily crossword puzzles, or other daily word puzzle games, Crosswordle is a Wordle alternative that adds a crossword-style grid and a strategic letter-swapping mechanic. Play daily challenges and practice endlessly right here for free!

NOTE: Wordle® is a registered trademark of the New York Times and is not affiliated with Crosswordle in any way.

How to Play Crosswordle

Crosswordle is a word logic puzzle played on a grid of intersecting words. All letters are already placed but scrambled—your job is to swap them into the correct positions using color-coded clues before you run out of moves.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Read the grid. Look at the 7×7 board of intersecting words. Every letter is visible but out of place.
2. Use color clues. Green letters are already correct. Yellow letters belong in that word but need to move. Grey letters belong in a different word.
3. Tap a letter to select it. It turns blue. Tap a second letter to swap their positions. Each swap costs one move.
4. Work from certainty. Start with the word that has the most green letters, then solve outward as more positions lock in.
5. Solve before running out of swaps. Every puzzle can be completed with 6 swaps remaining—achieving that earns a perfect six-star score.

For a deeper dive into how these color-coded clues work, read our guide to Crosswordle clue types. You can also browse the Crosswordle glossary for definitions of every game term.

Crosswordle vs Wordle

	Crosswordle	Wordle
Grid	7×7 intersecting words	Single 5-letter word
Mechanic	Swap letters between positions	Guess a new word each turn
Letters shown	All letters visible from the start	No letters revealed until you guess
Color clues	Green, yellow, grey (same meaning)	Green, yellow, grey
Solve time	3–8 minutes	2–5 minutes
Daily limit	1 daily + unlimited practice	1 per day
Perfect score	6 stars (6 swaps remaining)	Solve in 1 guess

Crosswordle combines the pattern-matching of Wordle with the intersecting-word structure of a crossword, making it a unique Wordle-crossword hybrid. See our full Crosswordle vs Wordle breakdown for more.

Crosswordle Game Modes: Daily and Unlimited

Crosswordle offers five ways to play:

• Daily 7×7 — a new puzzle every day on the classic grid. One attempt per day; track your win streak.
• Daily 9×9 — a larger grid with more intersecting words, also resetting daily. See how the 9×9 grid compares.
• Unlimited 7×7 — endless practice puzzles with no streak penalty. Perfect for learning the mechanics.
• Unlimited 9×9 — unlimited practice on the bigger board.
• Puzzle Archive — replay any past daily puzzle you missed or want to revisit.

All modes award stars based on the number of swaps you have left after completing the puzzle. On Daily Mode, you can build a winning streak and share your score with friends.

What Makes Crosswordle So Entertaining?

Crosswordle blends the word-knowledge depth of a crossword with the quick-hit satisfaction of Wordle®—creating a daily logic word puzzle that sits right between the two. Crosswords reward vocabulary; Wordle rewards deduction; Crosswordle requires both, plus spatial reasoning across an entire grid.

Most free crossword puzzles can take 15–30 minutes, and a standard Wordle round ends in under five. Crosswordle hits a sweet spot of 3–8 minutes—long enough to feel satisfying, short enough for a coffee break. It's a daily brain game that sharpens pattern recognition and vocabulary at the same time. Compare it with a classic crossword puzzle or see how it holds up against Wordle.

Crosswordle Gameplay Tips and Strategy

If you're new to playing this game in particular and need some tips on how to win and get the best possible experience, here are some things to keep in mind! For a full walkthrough, check out our Crosswordle strategy guide.

Practice Makes Perfect

First-time players shouldn’t jump straight into Daily Mode before learning the swap mechanics. If you lose a daily puzzle, you can’t retry it—you have to wait for tomorrow’s. Start with Unlimited 7×7 to build confidence risk-free, or try the Unlimited 9×9 once you’re comfortable with the basics.

Fill in the Words You Know First

When you start solving your first set, choosing the first vertical or horizontal word to work on can be tough, especially if there aren’t enough clue letters to piece the word together with. But the trick is to find the word you feel like you know most, then swap in letters you think are correct carefully and decisively. Once you get a word or two correct, the others will start becoming clearer to you as well!

Mind Your Swap Count

This is one of the most important things to remember while playing the game! After each guess, don’t forget that you have a limited amount of letter swaps, so don’t move letters around randomly, especially in Daily Mode. Mind your letter positioning as well if you’re looking to max out the number of stars you want to earn by completing the set. The fewer swaps you make to complete the game, the higher your final score will be!

Learn how to win a game with six swaps remaining—the perfect score. You can also read our 7 proven tips to boost your Crosswordle win streak. Want more reps? Browse the puzzle archive to replay past daily games.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Crosswordle?

Crosswordle is a free daily word puzzle game that combines Wordle®-style color clues with a crossword grid. Players swap scrambled letters on a 7×7 board until every tile turns green—before running out of moves. A new puzzle is available every day, and unlimited practice rounds let you play as much as you want with no download or signup required.

How does Crosswordle differ from Wordle?

Wordle asks you to guess a single five-letter word in six tries. Crosswordle shows you all the letters up front on an intersecting grid—but they are scrambled. You swap letters using green, yellow, and grey color clues instead of guessing. Read our full Crosswordle vs Wordle breakdown for more details.

Is Crosswordle harder than Wordle?

Yes. Crosswordle is generally harder than Wordle because you must solve multiple intersecting words on a single grid rather than one five-letter word. The swap-based mechanic and limited move count add a layer of strategic planning that standard Wordle does not require. See our detailed difficulty comparison.

Is Crosswordle free to play?

Yes. Crosswordle is completely free with no download or signup required. You can play the daily puzzle and unlimited practice games directly in your browser on desktop or mobile.

What do the green, yellow, and grey colors mean?

Green means a letter is in the correct position. Yellow means it belongs in that word but needs to move. Grey means the letter belongs in a different word entirely. Our clue types guide explains each color in depth.

How many swaps do I get per puzzle?

The number of swaps varies by puzzle, but every Crosswordle is designed so it can be solved with 6 swaps remaining. Finishing with all 6 swaps left earns a perfect six-star score.

Can I play more than one puzzle per day?

The daily puzzle resets once per day, but you can play as many unlimited practice puzzles as you like. Crosswordle also offers a daily 9×9 puzzle for an extra challenge and a full puzzle archive of past games.

What are the best strategies for solving Crosswordle?

Start with the word that has the most green letters, work outward from confirmed positions, and save your swaps for uncertain letters. For a step-by-step approach, see our Crosswordle strategy guide and our top tips for boosting your win streak.

Is there a 9×9 version of Crosswordle?

Yes! The Crosswordle 9×9 daily puzzle features a larger grid with more intersecting words and a higher swap count. Learn what changes in our 7×7 vs 9×9 comparison.