How To Make a Crossword Puzzle

Creating a crossword puzzle is an art. It involves blending creativity, language, and structure to create an engaging experience for players. This guide walks through the essentials of crossword puzzle creation, from selecting a theme to designing grids. If you're a beginner constructor, these tips will help you build puzzles that challenge and entertain.

The Theme of the Crossword 

When creating a crossword puzzle, arguably, one of the biggest things creators need to consider is the theme of the puzzle. This is because it sets the tone of the puzzle and adds a little extra layer of enjoyment for solvers while being the heart of the puzzle. A typical theme has several answers related to each other, share a common thread or subject, or have a subtle connection between them. Some crossword creators even mix in themed entries alongside random ones, but often, the themed entries are the longest crossword answers.

That's not always the case, but a well-crafted theme brings a little extra to the puzzle and, thus, should be engaging and original. An example of a theme is focusing on specific topics like "Oscar-winners," "Movie genres," "Objects from a specific decade," and more. In the end, the themed entries will influence the entire puzzle for the creator as well as the clues they create.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, non-themed entries will often take up space alongside the themed entries while also adding or supporting the creator's main theme of the puzzle. In the end, it's up to the creator to make things just right, as the right theme can make or break a crossword puzzle.

Planning Your Crossword Puzzle: Grids and Clue Structures

 After picking a theme, the next stage in creating a crossword puzzle is the careful and methodical design of the grid and clue structures. Most grids are typically symmetrical and are the backbone of the crossword puzzle, ranging from 15x15 to 21x21 sizes. Grid designs are also important as they affect the way players can solve the grid, as the more open grids are usually easier to solve.

It's why the theme comes first and then the grid, as the former anchors the grid and plays a key role in how the grid will look at the end of the design. Furthermore, it's also why the themed entries need to come before the shorter words in the grid, which many call fillers. Many constructors believe that grid design is the toughest part of the process and requires a lot of practice from budding builders.

Clue structures are equally important in a crossword puzzle and fall into two categories: straight definitions and cryptic clues. The difficulty of the clues varies from creator to creator, but they usually adjust the clues with complex words or by being very subtle in their references. This is why, when creating clues, constructors usually vary them with a mix of difficulties, references, and types to keep solvers interested and occupied with the puzzle.

Tools and Software for Creating Crossword Puzzles

While there are still constructors around who prefer to create crossword puzzles using pen and paper, they're usually considered to be old-school designers. That's because, thanks to the modern age, the modern crossword constructor has a wide variety of tools at their disposal. These range from software specifically created to build crosswords to websites that have their built-in crossword builder tool. These tools and software make things much easier for constructors as they assist in everything from grid design and clue creation to theme development and word placement.

In a fast-paced world where many websites have a daily puzzle, these modern tools streamline the process and make things a lot faster for a constructor. Here are a few examples of tools and software used to create crossword puzzles:

• CrossFire: A paid software that can be used on both Windows and Mac OS X. It's widely used by professional crossword constructors.
• Crossword Compiler: A paid Windows-specific application, it's well-known across the community for its grid-building software.
• Crosserville: A free browser-based tool which is perfect for beginner constructors as it has an integrated word list.
• PuzzleMe: Another free browser-based platform that also hosts embedded puzzles.
• EclipseCrossword: A free Windows-based software that creates crossword puzzles based on clues and words that the user inputs.
• Discovery Education Puzzlemaker: A is a free online tool for creating various types of puzzles, including crosswords.

How to Craft Clever Clues: From Simple to Cryptic

Often considered an art form within the community, building clever and engaging clues is a big part of creating a crossword from scratch. That is because clues can range from simple with straightforward answers to cryptic and subtle phrases that may have two or three meanings. The simpler and more easy clues tend to use descriptions or metaphors, while the more cryptic ones take things one step further by bringing misdirection into the game.

A common technique for creating the more cryptic and challenging clues is to ensure that the clue reads perfectly while masking its actual answer from the solver. Constructors usually do this by using a variety of tools available within the English language, from homophones and anagrams to hidden words or multiple meanings. Some constructors even use unexpected interpretations with an example being the phrase "This cylinder is jammed" which clues to Swiss Roll.

Another example of an unexpected interpretation is the clue "Sporting event one's bound to compete in," which clues in the Three-Legged Race. In the end, writing an effective clue can be considered a game of wits between the constructor and the solver, with the latter trying their best to force the former to think beyond their limits.

How to Submit Your Crossword to Newspapers or Online Platforms 

While creating a crossword puzzle is tough, submitting it is just as hard, especially as constructors have to adhere to the rules and regulations set by the website or platform they're submitting to. For example, The New York Times accepts submissions of a maximum of 78 words for the 15x15 grid and 140 for the bigger 21x21 grid. However, their rules are that the puzzle needs to be original, never have been published before, and include a fair share of cultural references.

Other platforms, including the LA Times and the Wall Street Journal, also accept outside submissions, but they have their own word count requirements. Most publications, though, have no issues with themed puzzles and prefer them, but there are some that accept themeless ones, like the NYT.

Tips from Professional Crossword Constructors

When creating a crossword, there's no better place to start than with advice from professional constructors, especially as they've already been through the process and figured out the easiest or best way to create a puzzle. That comes thanks to years of experience honing their skills and developing hundreds and thousands of puzzles that have made them renowned in their field.

Here are a few tips from crossword creators from across the world:

• "Clues need to be entertaining, factually correct, and phrased so that solvers know what they're asking for — all in the space of just a few words." - Patrick Merrell on clue construction
• Because it is the backbone of construction software, a good word list can make for a better puzzle. - New York Times Crossword Constructor Resource Guide
• Looking up how answers have been clued in previous puzzles was extremely helpful for this step- Matt Dodge on researching clue ideas.
• "Symmetry is key when designing the grid. It not only looks visually appealing but also ensures a smoother solving experience." - Elizabeth Gorski on creating grids.
• Variety is essential—mixing wordplay, trivia, and straightforward clues keeps the puzzle interesting for a wide range of solvers. David Steinberg on variety.
• Theme answers should be tight and consistent. If the theme isn't cohesive, the puzzle can feel disjointed to solvers. - Patrick Berry on Theme construction.