Free Crossword Puzzle Maker for Teachers

Make a Crossword in Three Steps

1. Paste your word list

   One entry per line as WORD, clue, 6 to 30 entries. Two columns copied from Excel or Google Sheets work too.

2. Check the grid

   The puzzle builds as you type, with numbered Across and Down clues. Don't like the layout? Press Generate again.

3. Print or save

   Print straight from the browser, save a PDF for handouts, or download a PNG to put in slides or your LMS.

SOLID, Matter that keeps its own shape
LIQUID, Matter that flows and takes the shape of its container
GAS, Matter that spreads out to fill any space
MELT, To change from solid to liquid
FREEZE, To change from liquid to solid
EVAPORATE, To change from liquid to gas
CONDENSE, To change from gas to liquid
PARTICLE, A tiny piece of matter

How Teachers Use It

• End-of-unit vocabulary review. Paste the unit's key terms with their definitions and you have a review sheet that checks meaning and spelling at once.
• Weekly spelling lists. Clue each word with a short sentence and a gap — students must spell the word correctly or the crossings won't work.
• Subject terms in any class. Science, history, geography and maths terms work as well as English vocabulary, which makes crosswords useful for CLIL lessons.
• Exam revision. Turn a list of key terms or exam vocabulary into a timed 15-minute challenge.
• Early finishers and cover lessons. Keep a few printed puzzles in a folder for students who finish early or for a substitute teacher.
• Bell-ringers and homework. A short 8–10 word crossword is a calm start to a lesson or a quick homework task.

Writing Clues Students Can Solve

The answers are the vocabulary you are teaching, so the clues should be easier than the answers. A few habits make a big difference:

• Use words students already know in the clues. A clue that needs a dictionary turns a review activity into a reading test.
• Mix clue types: a definition (A tool for measuring temperature), a sentence with a gap (Water ____ at 0 °C), an opposite (The opposite of ancient) or a translation for beginners.
• Make each clue point to one answer. If two words of the same length fit a clue, add a detail.
• Differentiate with the same word list. Make a second version whose clues give the first letter or the number of letters, e.g. (7, starts with T).
• Support weaker students with a word bank. Write the answers on the board or at the bottom of the sheet so they focus on meaning and spelling.

The step-by-step guide covers entry format and layout tips in more detail.

Short on Time? Ready-Made Crosswords

Over 180 printable crosswords with answer keys, grouped by level, age and topic:

Every worksheet page also has a link that opens its word list in the maker, so you can edit the clues before you print.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the crossword maker free for teachers?

Yes. There is no account, no trial and no limit on how many puzzles you make, print or save.

Do my students need an account?

No. You make the puzzle and print it or share the PDF; nobody needs to sign in.

How do I make an answer key?

The maker prints the student sheet: grid and numbered clues. Your word list is the answer key, so keep a copy, or write the answers into a printed grid once. Every ready-made worksheet PDF on the site already includes answer key pages.

How many words can a puzzle have?

Between 6 and 30. For a single lesson, 10 to 20 words is the sweet spot: enough crossings for a tidy grid, short enough to finish in 15 minutes.

Can I write the clues in my students' first language?

Yes. Clues can be in any language, which is a good way to start beginners: English answer, clue in their own language.

Are my word lists stored anywhere?

No. The puzzle is built in your browser and your words are not saved after you leave the page. See the privacy policy.