Daily Cryptic - Solve & Learn
Rate itOne cryptic crossword clue a day, with hints that show the trick before they give away the answer.
on dailycryptic.co
Daily Cryptic teaches cryptic crosswords a clue at a time. Each day brings two new hand-picked clues to solve free, with layered hints that point at the trick before they give the answer. A Plus subscription adds the archive, the full explanations, guided lessons, a weekly crossword and a monthly prize crossword.
About Daily Cryptic - Solve & Learn
A cryptic clue is two clues in one: a plain definition and a piece of wordplay that spell the same answer. Daily Cryptic gives you two such clues each day, shown as Clue 1 of 2 and Clue 2 of 2. You type the answer into the letter boxes, and if you are stuck you can open a hint, which tells you a little more each time: where the definition is, what kind of wordplay is at work, and how the parts fit together. A Letter button reveals a single letter.
Once a clue is solved, the explainer walks through how the answer is built, for example how "central to" points at letters hidden inside urb(ANAME)rica. Around the daily clues there is a learning series on the main clue types, such as anagrams, hidden words, containers, reversals, deletions and homophones, and a free directory of more than 1,600 indicator words on the website. For a longer solve there is a weekly crossword and a monthly prize crossword, with the entry rules shown before you enter.
The daily clues are free in the browser at dailycryptic.co and in the iPhone app, with no account. Daily Cryptic Plus, a subscription with a seven-day free trial, unlocks the archive of past daily clues, the weekly crosswords, every lesson series and the explainer. Signing in keeps your streak, XP and solves in step between the app and the website. The app is made by TF Daily Ltd. It suits anyone who has bounced off cryptic crosswords and wants to learn the rules a few minutes a day.
How to play Daily Cryptic - Solve & Learn
- Open dailycryptic.co or the iPhone app and start today's daily clue.
- Read the clue and decide which end of it is the definition.
- Type your answer into the letter boxes and check it.
- If you are stuck, tap Hint for the next nudge or Letter to reveal one letter.
- Move on to the second clue of the day, then read how each answer is built.
Screenshots
Tips
- The definition is almost always at the start or the end of the clue.
- Words such as swallowing or embracing often signal a container, where one part goes around another.
- Use the hints in order: the first one usually just marks the definition.
Questions
Is Daily Cryptic free?
The two daily clues are free, in the browser or the iPhone app, with no sign-up. Daily Cryptic Plus is a subscription that adds the archive, the weekly crosswords, every lesson and the explainer.
Do I need an account?
No. Signing in saves your streak and progress and keeps them in step between the app and the website.
Are there full crosswords?
Yes, a weekly cryptic crossword for Plus members and a monthly prize crossword, alongside the daily clues.
Ratings and reviews
Games like Daily Cryptic - Solve & Learn
Minute Cryptic
One handcrafted cryptic clue a day, scored against par by the hints you use, with a short video explaining it…
Parseword
One cryptic clue a day that you rebuild from its wordplay step by step, a good next lesson in how clues are…
Daily Crypticle
One cryptic clue a day solved in three guesses with coloured tiles and a result to share
The Times Quick Cryptic
A short daily cryptic crossword from Monday to Saturday, the next step up to a full grid
Guardian Cryptic Crossword
A full cryptic crossword every weekday with the setter named, for when single clues feel easy
The Daily Cryptic
One cryptic crossword clue a day, with hints that explain the wordplay step by step.
Bonza (Netflix Puzzled)
Join word fragments into a small crossing grid of words on the day's theme.
Chainle
Link the day's start word to its end word, changing, adding or removing one letter a step.