DailyCross is a free daily crossword puzzle inspired by classic newspaper crosswords like the New York Times Crossword. A brand-new puzzle appears every day — no subscription required, no paywall, no ads, no account. Just open the page and start solving. DailyCross works fully offline as a Progressive Web App, so you can solve on the subway or a plane without any internet connection. Your progress is saved automatically in your browser. DailyCross features 7×7 grids with crisp, fair clues across a range of difficulty levels. Whether you love the NYT crossword, the Guardian crossword, or any classic newspaper crossword, DailyCross delivers the same satisfying experience completely free. Use the Check button to highlight mistakes without giving away answers, or the Reveal button (up to 3 times) when you need a hint.
How to play DailyCross: Click or tap any white cell to select it, then type a letter. Click a selected cell a second time to toggle between Across and Down. Press Tab to jump to the next clue, or Shift+Tab for the previous. Use the arrow keys to navigate the grid. Press Backspace to erase a letter and move back. Use the Check button to highlight wrong letters in red for 2 seconds — empty cells are not flagged. Use the Reveal button to fill in the currently selected cell with the correct letter (up to 3 uses per puzzle). The timer starts with your first keystroke and stops when you complete the puzzle. Share your result after solving.
Start with fill-in-the-blank clues — these are almost always the most straightforward entries and give you confirmed crossing letters fast. Next, scan for 3-letter answers; short entries like ERA, ALE, ORE, and ETA appear constantly in crossword grids. As you fill in intersecting letters, revisit clues that seemed impossible at first — even one or two confirmed letters can unlock an answer that was previously out of reach. Pay close attention to clue tense and number: a plural clue means a plural answer, and a past-tense clue means a past-tense verb. For tricky clues, look for signal words like "perhaps," "sounds like," or "in a way" — these flag wordplay or indirect definitions. Use the Check button liberally to catch wrong letters early before they cascade into multiple wrong answers.
DailyCross vs NYT Crossword: Both offer a daily crossword puzzle experience with across and down clues. The key difference is that DailyCross is completely free — no New York Times subscription needed, no account, no paywall. Unlike paid crossword apps, DailyCross collects zero user data and respects your privacy. DailyCross also adds a Check feature (highlight mistakes) and Reveal feature (fill in a cell) that make it accessible to solvers of all skill levels. The Guardian crossword, Washington Post crossword, and LA Times crossword all require accounts or subscriptions for full access — DailyCross does not.
Why play DailyCross? It's free, forever — no subscription, no paywall, no ads. Your data stays on your device; nothing is ever sent to any server. DailyCross works offline as a Progressive Web App: install it once and solve on planes, commutes, or anywhere without Wi-Fi. The Check button highlights wrong letters without giving away answers, and the Reveal button (3 uses per puzzle) gives you a targeted lifeline on your toughest clues. These helpers make DailyCross welcoming for casual solvers while keeping the challenge alive for veterans. A brand-new puzzle drops every day, so there's always something fresh waiting for you.
Yes. DailyCross is completely free — no subscription, no paywall, no account, and no ads.
A fresh crossword puzzle is available every day. Puzzles rotate daily based on the date, so there is always something new to solve.
The Check button highlights any incorrect letters in red for 2 seconds. It only flags cells you have filled in — empty cells are ignored — so you can spot mistakes without giving away all the answers.
The Reveal button fills in the currently selected cell with the correct letter. You can use it up to 3 times per puzzle, so use it wisely on your toughest clues.
Yes. DailyCross is a Progressive Web App (PWA). Once you have loaded it once, it works without an internet connection. You can install it to your home screen for instant offline access.
DailyCross is inspired by classic American crossword puzzles like the NYT Crossword, but it is completely free and requires no account or subscription. It is an independent game not affiliated with or endorsed by The New York Times.
No. DailyCross stores your game progress locally in your browser. Nothing is sent to any server. There are no trackers, no analytics, and no cookies beyond local storage.
Click a cell to select it in Across mode. Click the same cell again to switch to Down. You can also press the arrow keys to navigate and automatically switch direction.