Codeword Solver

Enter your pattern using known letters, . for unknowns, and numbers for repeated unknown letters.

Enter your codeword pattern

Dictionary

How It Works

Codewords are crossword-like puzzles where each letter is replaced by a number. Use our notation to describe what you know.

Basic

H . . S E

↓

HOUSE, HORSE, GOOSE…

Use . or ? for each unique unknown letter. Known letters go in their positions.

Repeated

1 1 . E

↓

OOZE

Use numbers for repeated unknown letters. The same number means the same letter.

Advanced

. . A 1 2 2 . 1 R

↓

CHAUFFEUR

Combine known letters, wildcards, and repeated numbers for complex patterns.

Letters (A-Z): Known letter in that position

Dot (.) or Question Mark (?): Any single unknown letter

Numbers (0-9): Repeated unknown (same number means same letter)

What Are Codeword Puzzles?

Codeword puzzles (also known as code words or cipher crosswords) are a common type of word puzzle that looks like a crossword grid. But unlike normal crosswords, codewords do not give you written clues. Instead, every letter of the alphabet is replaced by a number between 1 and 26. Your job is to figure out which number matches which letter and fill in the grid.

Most codeword puzzles give you two or three starter letters to help you begin. From there, you use logic and your vocabulary to work out the rest. The hardest part is spotting the word patterns. That is exactly where our tool helps you the most.

How to Use This Codeword Solver

Our codeword solver helps you solve hard puzzles by finding words that match a specific pattern. Here is how to use it:

Enter known letters in their correct spots. For example, if you know the third letter is "A", type A in the third box.
Use a dot (.) or question mark (?) for any letter you do not know yet. Each dot stands for one unknown letter.
Use numbers (0-9) for repeated unknowns. If you know that the first and fourth letters are the same (but you don't know what letter), enter "1" in both spots. Use a different number (like "2") for a different repeated letter.
Click Solve and the matching words from our dictionary will show up right away.

Tips for Solving Codeword Puzzles

Whether you are a beginner or you do this all the time, these tips will help you solve codewords faster:

Start with common letters. In English, the most common letters are E, T, A, O, I, N, S, H, and R. Look for numbers that show up often in the grid because they are probably one of these common letters.
Look for short words first. Two and three-letter words only have a few options. Common ones are "THE", "AND", "FOR", "ARE", "IT", "IS", "AN", and "AT".
Find double letters. Numbers that sit next to each other often mean common double-letter pairs like LL, SS, EE, OO, TT, or FF.
Use word endings. Common endings like -ING, -TION, -NESS, -MENT, -ABLE, and -ED can help you find lots of letters at once.
Check for Q and U pairs. In English, Q is almost always followed by U. If you see a letter that only appears once or twice and is always followed by the exact same letter, it might be Q.
Work across and down. As you fill in letters for one word, they reveal letters for crossing words. This chain reaction makes the rest of the puzzle much easier.
Use our multi-word solver when two words share a letter but you are stuck on both. Type in both patterns and our solver will find pairs that fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a codeword and a crossword?

A crossword gives you written clues for each answer, but a codeword replaces every letter with a number. In a codeword, the same number always means the same letter in the whole grid. You usually get two or three starter letters and have to work out the rest yourself.

How does the dot (.) notation work?

A dot (.) or question mark (?) means any single unknown letter. For example, if you enter "H..SE", the solver will find all five-letter words starting with H, ending with SE, and any two letters in between. This finds words like HOUSE, HORSE, and GOOSE.

How do numbered unknowns work?

Numbers stand for repeated unknown letters. When you use the same number in multiple spots, it tells the solver those spots must have the same letter. For example, "11.E" means the first two letters are the same unknown, the third is any letter, and the fourth is E. This matches words like OOZE.

Which dictionary should I choose?

Our Complete dictionary has over 260,000 words and gives you the most options. The Standard dictionary has 115,000 common words and is great for everyday codewords. The Pocket dictionary has 20,000 of the most common words and is useful when you want fewer, more familiar words.

What is the multi-word solver?

The multi-word solver lets you type in two patterns at once. When two words in a codeword grid share a letter (they cross each other), you can type both patterns and use the same number in both to stand for the shared unknown letter. The solver will then find pairs of words that fit together perfectly.

Is this codeword solver free to use?