Cryptic Crossword (The Sydney Morning Herald)

The cryptic is one of the Daily Puzzles of The Sydney Morning Herald, published by Nine. Each puzzle has its own dated page, for example the one for Saturday 3 October 2026, and The Age shows the same grid and clues on its site. The setter is credited by initials: the puzzle for 2 October was by DA and the one for 3 October by DS.

The clues are classic cryptics. Each combines a definition with wordplay such as anagrams, hidden words, reversals and charades, and the answer length is given in brackets, like (5-4) or (2,5). Answers often span several words, and the grid has the usual unchecked squares of a British-style cryptic.

The online player has a timer that starts when you press Start, keyboard shortcuts for moving around, and tools to clear, check or reveal a letter, a word or the whole puzzle. The SMH page describes the crosswords as playable on the web, mobile and app as part of your digital subscription, and the paywall names Daily Crosswords among the Premium Digital features, so non-subscribers see a subscribe prompt.

It suits experienced cryptic solvers, and Sydney or Melbourne readers who already have a Premium subscription and want a daily puzzle with a local flavour.