--- title: "Free codeword (cipher crossword) generator with answers | Once Books" description: "A free codeword generator that makes a printable cipher crossword and its answer in one click. Every puzzle decodes exactly one way, with no sign-up and no watermark." source: "https://www.oncebooks.com/tools/codeword-generator" --- 1. [Home](https://www.oncebooks.com/) 2. [Tools](https://www.oncebooks.com/tools) 3. Codeword generator Free tool # 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. PuzzleDesign Difficulty 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. Theme ClassicBoldSoftShadedNavyIndigoSkyTealEmeraldForestPlumBerryCrimsonEmberAmberCocoa **Customise colours** Block squares Cell borders Frame Cell fill Letters & numbers Page background Style StandardClean Clean drops the title band and footer, leaving the grid. Generate puzzlePrint / save PDF 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. ## Want the whole book? 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. [Build the full book](https://app.oncebooks.com/publisher-studio/codeword/edit?from=codeword&v=2&s=eyJkaWZmaWN1bHR5IjoiTUVESVVNIiwiY29sb3JUaGVtZSI6eyJ0aGVtZUlkIjoiY2xhc3NpYyIsIm92ZXJyaWRlcyI6e319fQ) Free to build · pay once to export Preview The numbered cipher grid with its key, and the decoded answer. Hide the preview - Codeword Medium A 16B 18C 11D 8E 17F ·G ·H ·I 3J ·K ·L 6M 9N 13O ·P ·Q ·R 5S ·T 19U 1V ·W ·X ·Y ·Z · 1 Puzzle - Codeword Medium · Solution A 16B 18C 11D 8E 17F 2G ·H 4I 3J ·K ·L 6M 9N 13O 15P ·Q ·R 5S 10T 19U 1V 12W 7X ·Y 14Z · 2 Solution Generate puzzlePrint / save PDF ## How to make a codeword puzzle 1. Pick a difficulty. Choose how many starting letters are revealed. Harder grades give you fewer, so the cipher takes longer to crack. 2. Generate the puzzle. Press Generate puzzle. You get a numbered grid with a starting key, proved to decode exactly one way against a dictionary. 3. Print 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. Fill 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. Look for short, forced words. A three-letter word with two letters known usually has only one sensible completion, which pins another number. 3. Use 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. Track 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](https://www.oncebooks.com/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](https://www.oncebooks.com/codeword) and print one today.