LA Times Daily Crossword
The syndicated Los Angeles Times crossword, free in the browser every day.
Every day: One new themed crossword every day, the same for every solver, with clues that get tougher as the week goes on. New puzzle: Midnight US Eastern Time.
The LA Times Daily Crossword is the paper's American style themed crossword, the same puzzle that runs in many other newspapers. A new one comes out every day and the clues get harder as the week goes on. You can play it free on the LA Times games page after a short ad.
About LA Times Daily Crossword
The Los Angeles Times crossword is one of the most widely syndicated newspaper crosswords in North America, and the paper calls it the nation's oldest newspaper crossword. Its editors trace back to Margaret Farrar, the first crossword editor of the New York Times, who edited for the Los Angeles Times Syndicate after leaving that paper. Joyce Nichols Lewis edited the puzzle from 1978, Rich Norris became editor in 1999, and Patti Varol, a long time assistant editor, took over in 2022 and 2023.
Each day brings a new grid by a different constructor. Monday puzzles are the easiest and the clues get tougher through the week, with a larger puzzle on Sunday. Most weekday grids have a theme that links the longest answers, so spotting it helps fill the rest.
The online version runs on the PuzzleMe player from Amuse Labs. You type into the grid, step between clues, and can check or reveal letters and words if you get stuck. Logging in with a free LA Times account adds streaks, personal best times and achievements.
It suits solvers who want a solid daily crossword with a steady difficulty curve, without paying for a puzzle subscription.
How to play LA Times Daily Crossword
- Open the Daily Crossword page and press Play; a short ad may run first.
- Click a square or a clue to choose an answer, and use the arrow keys or Tab to move.
- Type your answers; letters you enter count toward the crossing words too.
- Look for the theme in the longest answers and use it to fill related entries.
- Use check or reveal tools if you are stuck, and finish the grid to see your time.
Tips
- Start on Monday or Tuesday if you are new; the puzzle gets harder toward the end of the week.
- Fill short answers in the corners first to get letters for the long theme entries.
- A question mark at the end of a clue usually means a pun or wordplay.
- Log in with a free account if you want your streak and times saved.
- Common short crossword words come back often, so note the ones you learn.
Questions
Is the LA Times crossword free?
Yes. The daily puzzle is free to play on the LA Times games page, with an ad before the game.
Who edits the LA Times crossword?
Patti Varol, who took over from Rich Norris in 2022 and Joyce Nichols Lewis in 2023.
Does it get harder during the week?
Yes. The clues are easiest early in the week and get tougher as it goes on.
Do I need an account to play?
No. A free account only adds streaks, best times and achievements.
Games like LA Times Daily Crossword
The New York Times Crossword
The other big American daily with the same Monday to Saturday difficulty climb
Washington Post Daily Crossword
Another free daily newspaper crossword in the same style
The Atlantic Crossword
A smaller free daily when you want a quicker solve
Guardian Quick Crossword
A British daily with straight clues and a different grid style
The Mini Crossword
A five by five grid for a one minute warm up
Crossclimb
A daily word puzzle built from crossword style clues
Best Daily American Crossword
A daily crossword with clues drawn from American history and culture.
Cross|word
Puzzmo's daily crossword, with an easier hint behind every clue.