Cruxword is a free daily puzzle in our word games collection. Cruxword is a free daily crossword-builder: everyone receives the same 21 tiles (7 vowels and 14 consonants) and must assemble one connected crossword on a shared scoring rubric. You earn points for tiles used, letters past three in a word, crossings and a bonus for spending the whole set, while unused tiles subtract. Practice, archive, bonus and 1v1 modes sit beside the daily board, so the site supports both a quick competitive score and longer sessions. For directory readers chasing Wordle-like daily habits, Cruxword swaps letter feedback for open board construction and a live rank against the field.
| Type | Word games |
|---|---|
| Time per game | 5-12 minutes |
| Platform | Web browser, no install needed |
| Play on DLE Arena | No, official site only |
| Official site | cruxword.com |
What is Cruxword?
Cruxword is a free daily crossword-builder: everyone receives the same 21 tiles (7 vowels and 14 consonants) and must assemble one connected crossword on a shared scoring rubric. You earn points for tiles used, letters past three in a word, crossings and a bonus for spending the whole set, while unused tiles subtract. Practice, archive, bonus and 1v1 modes sit beside the daily board, so the site supports both a quick competitive score and longer sessions. For directory readers chasing Wordle-like daily habits, Cruxword swaps letter feedback for open board construction and a live rank against the field. It sits alongside other word games on DLE Arena so you can compare rules, play time and similar titles before you open the official board. Like most "-dle" dailies, Cruxword is built for a short shared session: one puzzle (or a small set of rounds) that resets on a published schedule, usually without an account.
How to play Cruxword
- Drag today's 21 tiles onto the board (or tap a square then type) to build connected words.
- Cross words and stretch longer entries to stack tile, length and crossing bonuses.
- Aim to place all 21 tiles; unused tiles cost points when you submit.
- Check your rank against other players, then try Practice, Archive or 1v1 if you want more boards.
Cruxword tips
- Place high-value crossings early so later words have anchors instead of floating stubs.
- Burn awkward consonants inside longer stems rather than leaving them as unused singles.
- If the board stalls, rebuild from a strong vowel spine before chasing the all-21 bonus.
Where to play Cruxword
Cruxword runs in the browser on its official site, cruxword.com. Use the play button on this page to jump there. We keep this listing so you can read rules and tips first, then continue to the real board. Typical session length is 5-12 minutes.
Who will like Cruxword
Cruxword fits in our word games collection. Word games are the heart of the daily puzzle boom. It pairs well with a quick word game, a knowledge round like Arena Rank, and other short dailies from the same category so your morning stack stays varied.
Related daily games
After Cruxword, try these related listings and hubs on DLE Arena: Wordle, Connections, Strands, Spelling Bee, The Mini Crossword, Letter Boxed, plus games like Wordle, daily puzzle games, and the full DLE games directory.
Games like Cruxword
WordleGuess the hidden five-letter word in six tries.
ConnectionsSort sixteen words into four hidden groups of four.
StrandsFind themed words hidden in a letter grid, plus the spangram.
Spelling BeeMake as many words as you can from seven letters.
The Mini CrosswordA tiny daily crossword you can finish in about a minute.
Letter BoxedChain words around a square to use all twelve letters.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cruxword?
Cruxword is a free daily crossword-builder: everyone receives the same 21 tiles (7 vowels and 14 consonants) and must assemble one connected crossword on a shared scoring rubric. You earn points for tiles used, letters past three in a word, crossings and a bonus for spending the whole set, while unused tiles subtract. Practice, archive, bonus and 1v1 modes sit beside the daily board, so the site supports both a quick competitive score and longer sessions. For directory readers chasing Wordle-like daily habits, Cruxword swaps letter feedback for open board construction and a live rank against the field.
Where can I play Cruxword?
Cruxword is played in the browser on its official site, cruxword.com. DLE Arena links there directly.
How long does a game of Cruxword take?
Time per game: 5-12 minutes.
What games are like Cruxword?
If you enjoy Cruxword, try Wordle, Connections, Strands, or play Arena Rank, our own daily ranking puzzle on DLE Arena.
Cruxword is a trademark of its owner. DLE Arena is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Cruxword. Details were checked on 2026-11-06; rules can change, so the official site is the final word.