🔢 Codeword
Every letter is a number. Crack the code to fill the grid.
How to play
- Click a number, then type what letter it stands for.
- Your guess fills in every cell with that number at once.
- A couple of numbers start already filled in for free.
- Check tells you how many guesses are wrong, not which.
- Hint reveals one correct number for you.
A free codeword puzzle, a real crossword hidden in numbers
Codeword takes a real interlocking crossword grid and replaces every letter with a number. The same number always stands for the same letter across the whole grid, so cracking what number 7 really means fills it in everywhere it shows up, in every word it's part of. Click any number cell, or the same number in the legend row underneath, and type your guess.
A couple of numbers are already filled in for free at the start of every puzzle, giving you somewhere to begin. From there, use the letters you know to work out crossing words, the same way you'd solve a normal crossword, just starting from numbers instead of blanks. There's no letter-by-letter feedback as you type, since that would give the answer away for free: press Check any time to see how many of your filled-in guesses are wrong so far, without revealing exactly which ones.
Solve every number correctly to crack the whole grid, and a fresh puzzle loads automatically. Your total puzzles solved is saved locally in your own browser. It's free, works with a mouse, touchscreen, or keyboard, and needs no download or account. See the Parents & Safety page for the full privacy details, or try the single-line Cryptogram game, or browse the rest of the Word Games hub.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play Codeword?
Every cell in the crossword grid shows a number instead of a letter. Click a number, then type what letter you think it stands for. Guessing it once fills in every cell with that number across the whole grid.
What are the free starting letters?
A couple of numbers are already filled in for you at the start of every puzzle, the standard way a codeword gives you somewhere to begin.
How is this different from Cryptogram?
Cryptogram hides one line of text with a letter-substitution code. Codeword uses the same idea, numbers standing for letters, but applied to a real interlocking crossword grid instead.
Is there a hint?
Yes. Hint reveals one correct number for you if you get stuck, and Check tells you how many of your filled-in guesses are wrong so far without saying which ones.