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Free codeword generator, with the answer

Pick a difficulty and generate a cipher crossword, then print it with its answer. Every puzzle decodes exactly one way, with no sign-up and no watermark. It runs on the same engine as our KDP Publisher Studio.

Harder grades reveal fewer starting letters. Every puzzle decodes one way.

13×13 cipher grid. 12 letters are given; crack the rest so every word reads.

Two pages: the cipher grid with its starting key, and the decoded answer. Every puzzle decodes one way, checked against a dictionary by the same engine as our KDP studio.

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This makes one puzzle. Sign up to turn it into a full Codeword book for Amazon KDP: hundreds of graded puzzles at any trim, as print-ready PDFs.

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Preview

How to make a codeword puzzle

  1. 1Pick a difficulty. Choose how many starting letters are revealed. Harder grades give you fewer, so the cipher takes longer to crack.
  2. 2Generate the puzzle. Press Generate puzzle. You get a numbered grid with a starting key, proved to decode exactly one way against a dictionary.
  3. 3Print the two pages. Press Print / save PDF. You get two pages: the cipher grid with its key, and the decoded answer.

How to solve a codeword

Every letter has been replaced by a number, the same number for the same letter throughout. A few letters are given; work out the rest so every word reads.

The method

  1. 1Fill in the given letters. Write each given letter into every cell that carries its number, and cross it off the A to Z key.
  2. 2Look for short, forced words. A three-letter word with two letters known usually has only one sensible completion, which pins another number.
  3. 3Use letter patterns. A doubled number is a double letter (EE, LL, SS); a lone number between vowels is often a common consonant. Every placement unlocks more.
  4. 4Track the alphabet. Keep the A to Z key up to date so you can see which letters and numbers are still unused, and let the grid settle.
The one rule
Same number, same letter: decode it so every across and down word is real.
What the answer page shows
The fully decoded grid is printed at the back.
How the grades differ
Harder grades reveal fewer starting letters.
Good for
Solvers who like deduction and word patterns over clues.

Publishing a whole book?

This tool makes one puzzle for home or the classroom. To make a codeword book you can sell on Amazon KDP, Publisher Studio generates hundreds of graded puzzles across a difficulty curve, at any KDP trim, as a print-ready interior and solutions PDF.

See the KDP codeword maker

Questions

What is a codeword puzzle?
A codeword (also called a cipher crossword) is a filled crossword grid where every letter has been replaced by a number, the same number for the same letter. A few letters are given; you work out the rest so every word reads. There are no clues.
Is this codeword generator free?
Yes. Pick a difficulty, generate a puzzle and print it with its answer, with no sign-up and no watermark. It is free for classroom, home and personal use.
Does every puzzle have one solution?
Yes. Every puzzle is generated and checked against a dictionary so the starting key forces exactly one decoding. A puzzle is never ambiguous.
Does it include the answer?
Yes. Every puzzle prints as two pages: the numbered grid with its key on page one, and the fully decoded grid on page two.
What size are the pages?
The free tool prints at 8.25 by 11 inches, a popular large-print size. Our Publisher Studio will export the same book at any KDP trim, from 5.06 by 7.81 up to 8.27 by 11.69, as a print-ready 300 DPI interior.

Short of ideas? Browse our ready-made printables for this puzzle and print one today.

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Hundreds of graded puzzles, any KDP trim, print-ready PDFs. Start free.

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