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CrosswordsWord

CNN Daily Crossword

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A full-size daily crossword on CNN's free games page.

Play CNN Daily Crossword

on cnn.com

The CNN Daily Crossword grid with DORA at 1-Across, the clue Brand of body wash, the clue lists and the timer

The CNN Daily Crossword is a free, full-size American crossword on the CNN Games page. Each day's grid is dated and carries its constructor's byline, with editing by Patti Varol, and a calendar lets you go back to earlier days.

About CNN Daily Crossword

The Daily Crossword went up on CNN Games in June 2024 and sits beside Jumble Crossword, Sudoku, Photo Shuffle, Sudoblock and the 5 Things news quiz. CNN pitches it as a check on your news know-how, but the grids are classic general-knowledge crosswords: the clues run from film and music to geography, wordplay and everyday phrases, with the odd current name mixed in.

Each puzzle is a full-size American grid of about 15 by 15 squares. The title gives the date, such as Thursday October 22nd, 2026, and the byline names the constructor and the editor, Patti Varol, who also edits the Los Angeles Times crossword. The puzzles are supplied by Tribune Content Agency.

You solve it in the browser on CNN's page. Tap a square to see its clue, type answers, and switch between Across and Down. A timer runs as you go, Check and Reveal menus help when you are stuck, and a calendar opens earlier puzzles, and the grid can be printed.

It is free and needs no account; a video ad plays before the grid opens. It suits solvers who want a full-size daily crossword with a steady editorial hand and no paywall.

How to play CNN Daily Crossword

  1. Open the Daily Crossword on CNN Games and let the grid load.
  2. Tap a square or a clue to select an answer; tap again to switch between Across and Down.
  3. Type the answer; the cursor moves along the word.
  4. Cross-check doubtful answers against the crossing words, or use the Check menu to test them.
  5. Finish the grid to stop the timer, or pick an earlier day from the calendar.

Screenshots

The CNN Daily Crossword cover: white crossword squares on a yellow background

Tips

  • Start with fill-in-the-blank clues and short answers; they are the quickest to confirm.
  • If the longest answers share a theme, working it out early helps with the others.
  • A question mark at the end of a clue signals wordplay.
  • Try a corner from its crossings before turning to Check or Reveal, which give the answer away.

Questions

Is the CNN Daily Crossword free?

Yes. It is free with ads, including a video ad before the grid, and needs no account.

Who makes the CNN Daily Crossword?

Each puzzle carries its constructor's byline and is edited by Patti Varol. The copyright line is Tribune Content Agency's.

Are the clues about the news?

CNN pitches it as a test of news know-how, but most clues are general knowledge and wordplay, as in any American daily crossword.

Can I play old CNN crosswords?

Yes. The calendar in the game opens puzzles from earlier days.

When does a new puzzle appear?

Once a day. CNN does not state the time.

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