Crossword Construction Guides

Practical, step-by-step guides to making American-style crosswords: grids, fill, theme, clues and submission.

• Best Crossword Construction Software (2026): Free and Paid

  The best crossword construction software in 2026, compared on price, platform and limits: Gridsmith, Crossfire, Crossword Compiler, Crosshare and more.

• Crossword Maker vs Constructor: Which Do You Need?

  Crossword maker, creator or constructor? Learn how word-list generators differ from NYT-style constructors, and which crossword puzzle maker fits your goal.

• How to Make a Crossword Puzzle

  Learn how to make a crossword puzzle the way constructors do: pick a theme, build a symmetric grid, fill it cleanly, write clues, test, and share it.

• How to Make an NYT-Style Crossword

  The conventions behind a New York Times-style crossword: grid sizes, symmetry, word-count limits, 3-letter minimum, theme density, revealers, and clue style.

• Crossword Grid Rules

  Crossword grid rules explained: rotational symmetry, black square and word-count norms for 15×15 and 21×21 grids, cheater squares and unchecked squares.

• How to Submit a Crossword to the New York Times

  How to submit a crossword to the New York Times: the submission page, grid and format requirements, current pay rates, acceptance odds and other outlets.

• How Much Do Crossword Constructors Make?

  How much crossword constructors make in 2026: NYT, LA Times, WSJ, New Yorker, USA Today and indie pay rates, each dated and sourced, plus honest odds.

• How to open a .puz file

  A .puz file is an Across Lite crossword. Here is how to open one on Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad, Android or in a browser, and how to edit it.

• Crossword file formats compared: .puz, .ipuz, .jpz and more

  Compare crossword file formats .puz, .ipuz and .jpz: where each came from, what they support (rebus, circles), which tools read them, and which to use.

• Crossword word lists for constructors

  What a scored crossword word list is, the main lists constructors use (free and paid), how scores work, and how to import one into Gridsmith.

• Crossword autofill: how it works and how to get good results

  How crossword autofill works (constraint solving, backtracking, forward checking), why blank grids are hard, and tips for better results in Gridsmith.

• Crossword theme ideas

  Crossword theme ideas for constructors: nine theme types (add-a-letter, hidden words, puns, quotes, rebus) with original examples and a length-symmetry check.

• How to write crossword clues

  How to write crossword clues: the main clue types, a Monday-to-Saturday difficulty ladder with one answer clued six ways, plus rules for fairness and agreement.

• Crossword fill tips

  Crossword fill tips from a constructor: fill the hardest area first, avoid crosswordese and Naticks, limit partials, and know when to redo the grid.