Wordcrux
A mini but deadly crossword: three wrong letters in one square and you lose.
Every day: One dated mini crossword a day, the same for everyone, where every wrong letter counts: three misses on any single square and the game is over. New puzzle: Once a day.

Wordcrux is a daily mini crossword with a penalty. You enter five-letter words for the clues, correct letters lock in, and each wrong letter marks its square; a square that collects three wrong letters ends the game. The trick is choosing guesses you are sure of.
About Wordcrux
Wordcrux calls itself a mini but deadly crossword. Each day there is one dated puzzle, the same for every player, built from five-letter answers in a small grid.
You type a valid five-letter word for a clue and press enter. Letters that are right are revealed and locked; a square where your letter was wrong gets a coloured outline, a second miss changes it again, and a third wrong letter in that same square ends the game. Unlike most minis, where a wrong guess costs nothing, every miss here counts, so the game rewards careful guessing and using crossing letters before you commit.
It is free in the browser, with statistics and an archive.
It suits crossword solvers who want a short daily grid with real stakes.
How to play Wordcrux
- Read the clues for the day's mini grid.
- Type a valid five-letter word for a clue and press enter.
- Correct letters lock in; wrong ones mark their square.
- Avoid three wrong letters in any one square.
- Fill the whole grid to win.
Tips
- Solve the clues you are surest of first.
- Use locked letters from crossings before guessing risky words.
- Be extra careful on squares that already have two misses.
Questions
How do I lose?
If any single square gets three incorrect letters.
Do guesses need to be real words?
Yes, valid five-letter words.
Is there a new puzzle every day?
Yes.
Games like Wordcrux

The Mini Crossword
The classic small daily crossword

Crosswordle
A crossword with Wordle-style feedback

Mini Crossword (Boston Globe)
A quick daily crossword

WordFuzz
A daily hub with a Mini crossword

Jumble Crossword (Chicago Tribune)
A small daily crossword where every answer comes with its letters scrambled.

Mini 5x5
A small daily crossword from Ponder Club: ten clues, one 5x5 grid, a clock and a leaderboard.

Ponder Club
A free goose-themed hub of daily puzzles: mini crossword, word games, sudoku variants and more.

Puzzle Pact
Thirteen original daily puzzles, with optional private friend groups and medals.