Stuck on a codeword? This free codeword solver finds every word that fits the letters you already know.
Type one character per box. Use a letter if you know it, . or ? if it is unknown, and 1–9 for unknown letters that repeat.
Add one row per word in your puzzle. The same digit is the same letter in every row, so the solver finds words that fit together.
What is a codeword solver?
A codeword solver is a free online tool that finds the words that fit the letters you already know. A codeword is a crossword-style puzzle with no written clues. Every square holds a number from 1 to 26, each number stands for one letter, and the same number always means the same letter. A few letters are revealed at the start, and your job is to work out the rest.
That is where a little codeword help comes in. Enter a pattern such as ..A122.1R and this tool lists every word that fits, so you can fill in the grid faster. Need help with codeword grids that will not budge? You can code a word pattern in seconds, get the answers you are missing, and carry on. It works as a simple code solver on your phone or computer, ideal for free online codewords you play in an app, and as a codeword puzzle solver it needs no sign-up.
How to use this codeword solver
- Pick a word in your puzzle and count its squares.
- Type one character per square into the boxes above, from left to right.
- Enter the letter if it is already revealed.
- Enter a dot (.) or question mark (?) for a letter you do not know.
- Enter a digit from 1 to 9 for unknown letters that repeat. Squares that share a number in your puzzle share a digit here.
- Results appear as you type, or press Find words. Tap a word to copy it, or use Copy all under the results.
Pattern cheat sheet
Ameans exactly that letter..or?means any single letter.1to9mean a repeated unknown letter. The same digit is the same letter, and different digits are different letters.
Examples: 11.E matches ooze, because the first two squares are the same letter. 112.2 matches llama. ..A122.1R matches chauffeur, where 1 is U and 2 is F.
Find a word with missing letters
Wondering what is this word with missing letters? Put the letters you have in their exact positions and use dots for the gaps. For example, C.D. returns words such as code and cede. Used this way it is a codeword solver missing letters tool, and a handy helper for any pattern: you describe the shape of the word and it returns every word that fits. The more letters you know, the shorter the list becomes.
Code cracker and code breaker puzzles
Code Cracker and Code Breaker are other names for the same kind of puzzle, and many newspapers and puzzle apps use them. In these grids, numbers stand for letters and you decode the rest. If you want a code crack solver, a code cracker word solver or a code breaker solver, this page does the job. You can solve code cracker grids the same way: pick a word, enter its known letters, and use digits for the repeated numbers.
Codeword solver for UK and US puzzles
These puzzles are popular in UK newspapers and puzzle books, and in apps around the world. If you are looking for a free codeword solver UK with letters, type what you know and get the matching words. It uses English word lists, so it works for UK and US spellings alike. Switch between the Big, Medium and Pocket dictionaries to get the full list or a short, clean one.
Free puzzles to play
Codeword puzzles are a favourite with anyone who loves crosswords, and logic is all you need. Whether you play free code words on paper or in an app, you can use this page when stuck. Looking for free codeword puzzles to play? You will find codeword puzzles online in newspapers and puzzle apps. If you ask what is best for puzzles codeword fans enjoy most, the answer is simple: no clues, just patterns. Play first, and come back here when you get stuck.
Crossword clues about codes
Crossword setters love code clues, and this tool helps with those as well. If you are stuck on a codeword for s crossword clue, note that in the NATO phonetic alphabet the code word for S is Sierra. For other code-themed clues, enter the letters you have and the solver shows which words fit.
Word games with fixed letters
Some word games give you a few letters in place and ask you to find the rest. If you play Letter Lock, treat this page as a letter lock solver. Some people call it a letter lock cheat, but it works like a dictionary check: enter the letters you can see, mark the gaps with dots, and pick a word from the list.
Tips for solving a codeword
- Start with short words and words that already have several known letters. They have the fewest possible answers.
- Look for common endings such as -ING, -ED, -ER and -LY, and common beginnings such as TH-, ST- and UN-.
- Q is almost always followed by U, so a Q square often gives you a U for free.
- Double letters such as LL, SS, EE and OO appear as two neighbouring squares with the same number. Enter the same digit in both boxes.
- The most common letters in English are E, T, A, O, I, N, S and R, so they are good first guesses.
- Every time you solve a letter, fill it in everywhere that number appears in the grid. It often unlocks the next word.
Solver by word length
If you know the exact length of the word, use the solver for that length:
Frequently asked questions
What is a codeword solver?
It is a free online tool that finds the words that fit a pattern of known and unknown letters. You type the letters you already have from your puzzle, mark the gaps, and the solver lists every dictionary word that matches.
How do I enter a pattern?
Type one character per box from left to right. Use a letter if it is already revealed, a dot or question mark for an unknown letter, and a digit from 1 to 9 for unknown letters that repeat. For example, 11.E matches the word ooze.
What is the difference between a dot and a number?
A dot (or question mark) means any single letter. A digit means a letter that appears more than once in the word: squares with the same digit must be the same letter, and squares with different digits must be different letters. So 112.2 matches llama, but not a word like banana.
My puzzle has numbers above 9. How do I enter them?
The digits only need to be consistent inside the one word you are solving. Give each repeated number in that word its own digit from 1 to 9, even if the puzzle itself uses numbers like 14 or 23. Squares that share a number in the puzzle share a digit here.
Which dictionary should I choose?
Big has about 359,000 words and finds almost everything, but it also contains rare and unusual entries. Medium has about 168,000 words and is a good balance for most puzzles. Pocket has about 17,000 everyday words and gives the shortest, cleanest lists. If you get no results, try a bigger dictionary.
Why do I get no results?
Check that every letter was copied correctly, because one wrong letter is the most common cause. Try replacing a known letter with a dot to widen the search, switch to the Big dictionary, and remember that names and abbreviations are usually not in a word list. If nothing matches exactly, the tool shows words that differ by one known letter.
What does the Multiple words tab do?
It solves several words from the same puzzle together. Enter one word per row. A digit stands for the same letter in every row, so you only see sets of words that are consistent with each other.
Is it free, and is my data safe?
Yes, it is completely free to use. The word lists load into your browser and the matching happens on your device, so the patterns you type are not sent anywhere.
How many boxes can I use?
The home page has 15 boxes. If you know the exact length of the word, use the solver for that length from the Letter solvers menu (3 to 9 letters). Those pages only show words of that exact length.
How does it work?
A codeword is a crossword without clues: every square has a number, and each number stands for one letter. This tool matches your pattern against a word list.
. or ? – any one letter.A – exactly that letter.1 to 9 – an unknown letter that appears more than once. Same digit means same letter, different digits mean different letters.
Example: ..A122.1R matches chauffeur. Click any result to copy it.