Guide
10 Tips to Solve Crosswords Faster
Speed in crosswords isn’t about thinking faster — it’s about wasting less time on the wrong things. These ten habits, built on the fundamentals from how to solve the WSJ Crossword, will tighten your solve.
- 1. Do the fill-in-the-blanks first. They’re the cheapest points on the board.
- 2. Sweep all the Acrosses, then all the Downs. Fill what’s instant; skip the rest.
- 3. Never force a clue. If it doesn’t come in five seconds, move on and return with crossings.
- 4. Trust the crossings. Two letters often reveal an answer you couldn’t guess cold.
- 5. Learn the crosswordese. A few dozen repeat words appear constantly.
- 6. Spot the abbreviation signals. Short clue, short answer.
- 7. Match tense and number. Plurals end in S; past tense ends in -ED.
- 8. Respect the question mark. It means a pun, not a definition.
- 9. Work the corners. Dense corners crack once you anchor one long answer.
- 10. Solve daily. Pattern recognition is the real speed engine.
Most of all, keep it enjoyable — racing the clock only helps if you’re still having fun. When a single square holds you up, confirm it against today’s WSJ answers and keep your streak alive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to start a crossword?
Fill in the blank-style clues and short common answers first, then use those crossing letters to open up the longer entries.
How do I get faster at crosswords over time?
Solve daily. Speed comes from pattern recognition — the more grids you see, the faster the repeat words and clue tricks jump out at you.
