The Independent's Cryptic Crossword

About The Independent's Cryptic Crossword

The Independent's cryptic is the paper's main daily crossword, set in the British tradition where each clue has two halves: a definition and a piece of wordplay, such as an anagram, a hidden word or a charade of smaller parts, that leads to the same answer.

On the paper's puzzles site the grid plays in the browser. Every puzzle is 15 by 15, a timer runs while you solve, and quick finishers can make the top 10 leaderboard. Stuck clues can be revealed one word at a time or all at once, and the grid prints for solving on paper.

Past puzzles stay in an archive. For each day's crossword, the solving blog fifteensquared.net posts a clue by clue explanation, which helps newer solvers learn how the setters build their clues.

It suits solvers who already enjoy cryptics, and learners who want a daily grid with explanations to check against afterwards.

How to play The Independent's Cryptic Crossword

1. Open the Cryptic Crossword on The Independent's puzzles site.
2. Pick a clue and look for the definition at its start or end.
3. Work out the wordplay in the rest of the clue to confirm the answer.
4. Type the answer into the grid and use crossing letters on harder clues.
5. Reveal a word if you are stuck, or finish the grid to see your time.

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Tips

• Look for anagram signals such as broken, wild or confused next to a group of letters that fits the answer length.
• Short clues are often hidden words or double definitions; try those first.
• Read the next day's explanation on fifteensquared.net to learn a setter's habits.
• Print the grid if you prefer to work on paper over the day.

Questions