1. Assess the crossword
Before you start spending points, scan the grid and think about your route. Look for clue words that seem solvable quickly and words that could open up useful crossings.
Back to today's puzzle
How to Play Crosswordle
Crosswordle blends crossword clues with Wordle-style deduction. You work through clue words in a shared grid, reveal useful crossings, and try to solve the Golden Word at the right moment for the best score.
Goal
Solve all of the crossword clues and the Golden Word while holding onto as many points as possible. Crosswordle is not just about finishing the puzzle. It is about finishing with the strongest score.
2. Pick a word to solve
Choose any active clue word in the crossword. Every answer can be worked out from the clue, the Wordle-style deduction board, or a combination of both.
3. Decide how to solve it
You can solve a word through deduction with the Wordle-style guesses, where each wrong valid attempt costs 2 points. Or you can reveal the crossword clue straight away, which costs more points and scales with the word's difficulty.
4. Solve the Golden Word
You can go for the Golden Word at any time. Use its clue and the revealed Golden letters in the crossword to work it out. Golden Word attempts are free, and solving it wins the puzzle.
Scoring basics
Each clue starts with available points based on difficulty.
Each wrong valid guess on a clue costs 2 points.
Revealing a crossword clue or using Reveal Letter hints costs more points, so use them strategically.
You only get 3 Reveal Letter hints per game.
The Golden Word has a base score based on difficulty, plus an early solve bonus.
Solve the Golden Word before finishing all of the crossword clues to earn bonus points and unlock more revealed letters in the grid.
Play Smart
Quick strategy tips
The best scores come from choosing when to spend points and when to trust the board.
Chase the score, not just the solve
Opening move
Start with longer words that look solvable through Wordle-style deduction. They usually give you fewer attempts, but they can unlock a lot of the board if you crack them cleanly.
Golden setup
Prioritize words that contain Golden letters. Every solved Golden letter gives you more information for the Golden Word.
Big swing
Solve the Golden Word as early as you realistically can. A fast Golden Word solve gives you a bigger bonus and the placed letters can become extra clues across the crossword.
Short-word trap
Short words can take a surprising number of Wordle-style attempts to pin down. For those, consider using the clue earlier or taking a smart guess if the pattern is strong.
Safety valve
If you are down to your last attempt on a clue, revealing the clue can be a better backup than risking a dead word.
Spend carefully
Use Reveal Letter strategically when you are stuck, but remember that the second and third reveal on the same clue cost even more points.
Endgame
The real win is solving the whole puzzle while protecting as many points as possible.