Minute Cryptic

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One cryptic crossword clue a day, with hints and a video to explain it.

on minutecryptic.com

Minute Cryptic in the app: the clue 'Prince's home extremely late after play group?' above six answer boxes, a par marker and hints and check buttons

Minute Cryptic began as a daily cryptic clue on TikTok and Instagram and became a game: each day one clue, playtested with solvers, to crack with as few hints as possible against a par score. A short video walks through the answer, and free courses teach how cryptic clues work.

About Minute Cryptic

Minute Cryptic is a daily cryptic crossword clue, served one at a time instead of in a full grid. It started as a clue-a-day series of short videos on TikTok and Instagram, and its makers (Minute Cryptic Pty Ltd) turned it into a game on the web and an iPhone app after followers asked for something to play.

Each day there is one handcrafted clue, the same for everyone, written with feedback from the community and tested on solvers before it goes out. You see the clue and the answer boxes, and try to crack it. If you are stuck you can take hints that explain part of the wordplay, or reveal letters, and your result is measured against a par for the clue. Once you finish, a short video walks through how the clue works.

What sets it apart is that it is built to teach. Three free courses (letterplay, wordplay and weirdplay) explain the usual tricks of cryptic clues, and the hint system nudges you toward the method instead of just giving the answer. A paid membership adds the full archive of past clues, mini cryptic crosswords and a mode for writing and sharing your own clues.

It suits newcomers who find full cryptic crosswords daunting and want one clue a day to learn from, and experienced solvers who want a quick daily clue with a streak to keep.

How to play Minute Cryptic

Open minutecryptic.com or the Minute Cryptic app and start today's clue.
Read the clue and look for the definition at one end and the wordplay in the rest.
Type your answer into the boxes and check it.
If stuck, take a hint or reveal a letter, knowing each one counts against par.
Watch the short video afterwards to see how the clue was built.

Tips

The definition almost always sits at the very start or end of the clue; find it first.
Take the free letterplay course if you are new: it covers the common signals for anagrams, hidden words and initial letters.
Try a hint before a letter reveal; hints explain the wordplay and keep you closer to par.

Questions

Is Minute Cryptic free?

The daily clue, hints, video and beginner courses are free. A membership subscription unlocks the archive of past clues, mini cryptic crosswords and the clue-writing mode.

Do I need to know cryptic crosswords already?

No. It is designed for beginners, with courses and hints that explain the rules as you go.

Where can I play?

In a web browser at minutecryptic.com or in the iPhone and Android app.

How is a day's result scored?

Against a par for the clue, based on how many hints and letter reveals you use.