Swap (Los Angeles Times)

Swap turns the mini crossword inside out. Instead of typing answers into empty squares, you get a grid already filled with the right letters in the wrong places. Read the clues, work out the answers, and swap tiles until every word reads correctly across and down.

Each puzzle has a title and a theme and is credited to its constructor; on 2 October 2026 it was Rock 'n' Roll by Adam Frucci, with clues about bands, albums and songs. Some days a square holds a small picture standing in for a whole word, rebus style, which you have to read as part of the answers around it.

Your swaps are limited and a few hints are on hand, so the puzzle rewards working out answers from the clues before moving tiles. The Los Angeles Times shows the puzzle on its games page; it comes from Lil Snack, which makes daily pop culture games for several publishers.

It suits mini crossword players who like a shorter, more tactile solve, and anagram fans who want clues to steer them.