What Is Cruxword?
Cruxword is a daily crossword builder game where everyone gets the same 21 letter tiles: 7 vowels and 14 consonants. Your goal is to arrange them into one connected crossword grid — words crossing each other like a traditional crossword — then submit your grid to see how you rank against all other players that day.
The twist? You’re not just solving a puzzle; you’re building one from scratch. And every tile you place (or leave unused) directly affects your score. The scoring system is simple to understand but tricky to master, especially if you’re just starting out.
The Scoring System: Every Tile Counts
Here’s the exact scoring breakdown from the game’s rules:
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Place a tile on the board | +10 per tile |
| Each letter past 3 in a word | +5 per extra letter |
| Each crossing (where an across and down word intersect) | +10 per crossing |
| Use all 21 tiles | +50 bonus |
| Leave a tile unused | −5 per unused tile |
So if you place a 5-letter word, you get +10 for each of the 5 tiles (50 points) plus +5 for the 4th letter and +5 for the 5th letter (10 points) — that’s 60 points for that word alone, before any crossing bonuses.
Crossings are especially valuable. Every time a letter is part of both an across word and a down word, you earn an extra +10. That means a single tile can be worth far more than its base +10 if it’s part of multiple crossings.
The ultimate goal is to use all 21 tiles. If you do, you get a flat +50 bonus on top of everything else. But if you leave any tiles on your rack, each one costs you 5 points.
How to Play: Basic Setup
Getting started is straightforward. Here’s the step‑by‑step process:
- Open the daily puzzle at cruxword.com. You’ll see a blank grid and your 21 tiles below.
- Place a tile by dragging it onto the board, or tap a square on the grid and then tap the tile you want (or type the letter).
- Choose direction — your word can go across or down. Press the Space bar to flip direction while placing.
- Remove a tile by dragging it back to your rack, or use the ⌫ (backspace) key to remove the last placed tile.
- Move around the grid with the arrow keys if you prefer keyboard control.
- Clear the board anytime with the “Clear board” button to start over.
- When you’re satisfied, hit Submit grid to see your score and your rank on the leaderboard.
The game checks your grid against a dictionary, so every word you build must be a valid English word. You’ll see a “Loading dictionary…” message while it verifies.
Avoiding the −5 Penalty
The most common mistake for beginners is leaving too many tiles unused. Every tile left on your rack subtracts 5 points from your total. That might not sound like much, but it adds up fast — and it can easily push you below par.
Here’s how to minimize the penalty:
- Aim to use all 21 tiles. Even if you can’t make a perfect crossword, try to place every tile somewhere. The +50 bonus for using all tiles is huge, and it completely cancels out the −5 penalty you’d otherwise pay.
- Plan your grid before you start. Look at your letters and think about which ones are hardest to place (like Q, Z, or X). Try to build words around those first.
- Don’t be afraid to rearrange. You can remove tiles and rebuild as many times as you like before submitting. Use the “Clear board” button to start fresh if you get stuck.
Tip: If you’re one or two tiles short, try making a shorter word that still crosses existing words. Even a 2‑letter word can earn crossing bonuses and help you use up those last tiles.
Quick Tips for Your First Puzzle
- Crossings are your friend. A single tile that’s part of two words earns +10 for the tile plus +10 for each crossing. That’s a 20‑point tile instead of 10.
- Longer words give a small bonus. Each letter past 3 in a word adds +5, so a 6‑letter word gives you an extra 15 points over the base tile score. But don’t force a long word if it means leaving tiles unused.
- Check your score as you go. The game shows your current score and how many tiles you have left. Use that to gauge whether you need to place more tiles or adjust your layout.
- Submit even if you’re not perfect. You’ll see your rank and a share card (no spoilers) — it’s a great way to learn from your mistakes.
FAQ
Can I play more than once?
The daily puzzle is one attempt per day, but you can practice with unlimited practice racks (available in Cruxword Plus) or try the archive puzzles.
What happens if I submit with unused tiles?
You’ll lose 5 points per unused tile, but you’ll still get a score and a rank. It’s better to submit than to abandon the puzzle.
How do I know if a word is valid?
The game checks your grid against a built‑in dictionary. If a word isn’t valid, you won’t be able to submit — you’ll see a message and can adjust your grid.
Is there a time limit?
No, you can take as long as you like to build your grid. The only limit is that you must submit before the next day’s puzzle resets.
Now that you know the rules, jump in and start building. Every tile counts — and with a little planning, you’ll avoid that −5 penalty and climb the leaderboard.
