Morning Crossword › FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Everything people ask about Morning Crossword, the free daily mini crossword. New to crosswords? Start with how to play.
About Morning Crossword
What is Morning Crossword?
Morning Crossword is a free daily mini crossword you play in your web browser. Every day there is a new 5x5 puzzle with about ten clues, made to be solved in a few minutes with your morning coffee.
Is Morning Crossword free?
Yes. Every puzzle, today's and every one in the archive, is free to play on a phone, tablet or computer. There is no subscription and no paywall.
Do I need an account or an app?
No. Open morningcrossword.com and start typing. There is nothing to download and no sign-up. If you like, you can add the site to your home screen from your browser's menu, and it opens like an app.
Is it a good crossword for beginners?
Yes. The mini uses everyday words and clues in plain English, so it suits first-time solvers, students and people learning English. The how-to-play guide explains how clues work and gives simple tips. See the guide for beginners
Are there ads?
No. The site shows no ads.
How do I contact you or report a mistake in a clue?
Email [email protected]. Tell us the puzzle's date and the clue number, and we will look at it. Ideas for themes are welcome too. See how to reach us
The daily puzzle
When does a new puzzle come out?
A new mini crossword arrives every day at midnight in your own time zone, so it is ready when you wake up.
How big is the puzzle?
Each daily puzzle is a 5x5 grid with about ten clues, split between Across and Down. Most people finish it in one to three minutes.
Does each puzzle have a theme?
Many do. Puzzles often follow the week, with holidays, seasons and events, and the title above the grid hints at the theme.
Where do the clues come from?
Every puzzle is new and written for Morning Crossword. Each one is solved and fact-checked before it goes live, and clues are never copied from other crosswords.
Can I see tomorrow's puzzle early?
No. Each puzzle appears at midnight on its own day in your time zone.
Playing
How do I play?
Tap a square to pick a word, read its clue, and type the answer. Tap the same square again to switch between Across and Down. Fill every square with the right letter to solve the puzzle. The how-to-play guide covers every control and hint. Read the how-to-play guide
Can I play with a keyboard?
Yes. On a computer, type letters, use the arrow keys to move, Space to switch direction, Enter or Tab for the next clue and Backspace to erase.
Why doesn't the puzzle tell me when a letter is wrong?
Letters are only marked when you ask, with Check in the Hints menu. That keeps the puzzle fair and lets you choose how much help you get.
I filled every square, so why isn't it solved?
At least one letter is wrong. The puzzle tells you it is close but not right yet. Use Check puzzle in the Hints menu to see which letters to fix.
Hints
Can I get a hint?
Yes. Tap Hints next to the clock to check a letter, the word you are on or the whole grid, or to reveal a letter or a word. Revealed squares get a yellow corner so you can see how much you solved on your own.
What does Reveal puzzle do?
It shows every answer and ends the game. A revealed puzzle does not count as solved, and a new puzzle comes the next day.
Do hints break my streak?
No. Hints never break your streak. Your result just shows how many you used.
Streaks and stats
How does the streak work?
Your streak counts the days in a row you solved the puzzle on its own day. Puzzles from the archive count in your stats but not in your streak.
Where are my times and streak saved?
In your own browser, on your device. Nothing is stored on our side, so there is no account to sign in to.
Why did my streak reset?
Either a day was missed, or the browser's data for the site was cleared, for example by clearing history or using a private window. A different browser or device also starts with its own streak.
Can I move my streak to another device?
Not yet. Each browser keeps its own progress and streak.
Archive and sharing
Can I play puzzles from earlier days?
Yes. Every past puzzle is free in the archive, and each has its own page. Solved ones are marked on your device. Open the archive
How do I share my result?
When you solve the puzzle, tap Share. On a phone it opens your share menu, and on a computer it copies the text. Your result shows your time, hints and streak, never the answers.
Devices and accessibility
Which devices does it work on?
Any phone, tablet or computer with a modern browser, such as Safari, Chrome, Edge or Firefox. On phones the puzzle has its own on-screen keyboard, and the grid fits above it.
Does it work offline?
Pages you have already opened can load without a connection. A new day's puzzle needs a connection.
Is there a dark mode?
Yes. Tap the moon at the top of any page. The site remembers your choice.
Is the puzzle easy to read?
The site uses large squares, strong contrast in light and dark mode, and Atkinson Hyperlegible Next, a font designed for readers with low vision. You can also zoom with your browser.
Privacy
Do you collect my personal data?
We never ask for your name or email. Your game progress stays in your browser. We use Google Analytics to count visits and see which puzzles people finish. The privacy policy explains what is collected and how to turn it off. Read the privacy policy