You can also write word - clue or word: clue. Spaces are allowed (ice cream) and are shown as (3,5) after the clue.
Making the PDF…
About the crossword maker
A crossword is one of the best ways to practise new words: spelling, meaning and a little puzzle fun at the same time. Teachers use them for vocabulary and topic reviews, parents for birthday games, and companies for training and team events.
This tool turns your own words and clues into a real crossword. The words are crossed into a neat grid automatically, the squares are numbered, the clues are sorted into Across and Down, and you get a printable PDF with an answer key on a second page.
How to use it
- Type a title
- Type your words, one per line, as word | clue — for example moon | It goes around the Earth
- Choose the paper (A4 or US Letter) and keep the answer key if you want one
- Check the live preview — press New layout to try a different arrangement
- Click Download PDF or Print
Writing good clues
- Definitions — orbit | The path a planet takes around the Sun
- Fill in the blank — galaxy | The Milky Way is a ___
- Translations for language classes — apple | la pomme
- Pictures from a lesson — volcano | A mountain that can erupt
- Questions about a story — Charlotte | The spider who could write
No clue? The word itself is printed as the clue, which is handy for a quick spelling check.
How the grid is made
The longest word goes in first. Every next word is tried at each place where one of its letters crosses a letter already in the grid, and the best spot wins — the one with the most crossings and the most compact grid. This is repeated with different word orders, and the neatest layout is kept.
Words that share common letters (E, A, R, S, T) cross easily. A word with no letters in common with the others cannot be connected; the tool tells you which one, so you can add a word that links to it.
Words with spaces
Two-word answers like ice cream or New York are fine. The grid uses the letters only (ICECREAM), and the clue shows the word lengths, as real crosswords do: *Cold dessert (3,5)*.
Everything happens on your device
The crossword is made inside your browser. Your words are never uploaded, there is no sign-up and no watermark, and you can make as many as you like.
What people use it for
- Vocabulary and spelling practice in class
- Topic reviews — science, history, geography, a book the class read
- Language learning — clues in one language, answers in another
- Birthday and wedding games with names and memories
- Training and team-building at work
- Homeschool worksheets
Frequently asked questions
How do I make my own crossword puzzle?
Type each word and its clue on its own line, like moon | It goes around the Earth. The crossword maker places the words in a grid, numbers them and writes the Across and Down clues. Then download the PDF or print it.
Is the crossword maker free?
Yes. There is no sign-up, no watermark and no limit on how many crosswords you make.
Does it make an answer key?
Yes. Tick Add an answer key page and the PDF gets a second page with every answer filled in.
How many words can a crossword have?
Up to 60 words. Between 10 and 25 words gives the nicest puzzles for a classroom.
Why was one of my words not placed?
A word can only join the grid where it shares a letter with another word. Press New layout to try again, or add a word that has letters in common with it.
Good to know
- Up to 60 words; each needs at least 2 letters
- Letters with accents (é, ü, ñ) work
- The grid is always connected — every word crosses at least one other
- The PDF prints at actual size on A4 or US Letter
Related tools
- Word Search Maker — a word search from the same list
- Printable Flashcards — study the words before the puzzle
- Bingo Card Generator — vocabulary bingo for the class
- Handwriting Worksheet Maker — practise writing the words
- Math Worksheet Generator — printable math practice
- Certificate Generator — certificates for the winners
