Decryptic: Cryptic Crossword

Every clue tells you the answer twice: once as a plain definition, once as wordplay. Learn to spot which is which and cryptic crosswords stop being baffling.

Decryptic is a daily cryptic crossword built for people still learning. A short walkthrough explains the one idea every clue is built on. Then tap ? Hint on any clue and Decryptic names the type of wordplay, explains how it works, and reveals the answer only if you ask for it. Checking a word is always free, so you learn as you go instead of getting stuck and giving up.

IF YOU ARE NEW TO CRYPTICS

- A guide to every kind of cryptic clue: anagrams, hidden words, charades, homophones, containers, reversals and the rest, each with a plain worked example
- Hints that explain the wordplay rather than just handing over the answer
- Reveal a word and Decryptic tells you what it means, so every answer teaches you something
- An anagram helper that jumbles the letters on screen so you can shuffle them until the answer clicks
- Difficulty that ramps across the week, so Monday is a gentle way in

IF YOU ALREADY SOLVE

Puzzles reward wordplay over obscure trivia, with real dictionary words rather than region-specific proper nouns. Hints stay out of your way unless you want them, and a clean unaided solve earns a Gold medal you can share.

WHAT YOU GET

- A new cryptic crossword every day, free
- An archive of past puzzles
- No account, no sign-up
- Installs to your home screen and plays offline, on phone, tablet or Chromebook
- A single-clue focus mode for small screens

HOW THE PUZZLES ARE MADE

The grids are programatically generated, using AI for the first-pass on the clues, and then every one is checked by a human. Wordplay is verified automatically so the mechanics always work, and on top of that I solve every puzzle myself before it goes live. Generating a clue is the easy part. Sitting down and actually solving it is what catches the ones that look fine on paper and fall apart when you try them. If a clue is weak, tell me and I will fix it.

FREE TO PLAY

Decryptic carries ads, with optional one-off purchases to remove them and unlock the archive.

Set daily by Inthrall. Open the app and start today's puzzle.