The Daily Cryptic

About The Daily Cryptic

The Daily Cryptic is a single-clue cryptic puzzle with a newspaper look: a masthead, a dated issue number, and a byline for the setter. Each day there is one clue, such as Legend cut down to size? Little more than twelve inches (9), with a row of boxes for the answer and a Check button.

If you are stuck, the Editorial Desk hands out help one piece at a time. It first tells you what kind of clue it is, such as a charade, then can show the indicator, the definition and the fodder, or reveal a letter. Each reveal counts against the day's Press Par, and a full reveal walks through how the wordplay builds the answer.

You can play as a guest or take a free Press Pass account to save your streak and earn a reader rank. The site keeps an archive of past clues, a page for reader-set clues, and a short lesson for people new to cryptics. Its first issue was dated 1 September 2026.

It suits cryptic regulars who want a quick daily clue, and beginners who want to learn how cryptic clues are put together.

How to play The Daily Cryptic

1. Read today's cryptic clue and the number of letters in brackets.
2. Find the definition at one end of the clue and the wordplay in the rest.
3. Type your answer in the boxes and press Check.
4. Use Hints for the clue type, indicator, definition, fodder or a letter, each counting against the par.
5. Watch the full reveal to see how the clue works, then share your result.

Screenshots

Tips

• The definition is almost always at the start or the end of the clue.
• Words like cut, briefly or little often mean drop a letter.
• Take the clue-type hint first: it costs the same as the others and tells you the most.

Questions