Crossword Grid Maker
Design a crossword grid with 180° symmetry, automatic numbering, entry lists and a printable PNG export.
- Blocks
- 0
- Block share
- 0%
- Across entries
- 15
- Down entries
- 15
- Total entries
- 30
- Unchecked squares
- 0
Click a square to shade it, or move around with the arrow keys and press . to toggle a block.
Across
Down
How it works
Shade squares to shape your crossword and the grid renumbers itself using the standard crossword rule: a square gets a number when it starts an entry — a run of two or more white squares — across or down, and numbers run left to right, top to bottom. Turning on 180° rotational symmetry mirrors every block you place to the opposite corner, the convention used by newspaper puzzles such as the New York Times. Numbering, the entry lists and the symmetry mirror all update instantly as you edit.
The checker flags two classic construction faults: unchecked squares (letters that belong to only one entry, so a solver gets no crossing help) and disconnected regions (white squares walled off from the rest of the grid). Type letters into the squares to draft a fill, then copy the grid as plain text or download a printable PNG with the numbers drawn in. Everything runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded, and there is no signup.
Frequently asked questions
How are the numbers in a crossword grid assigned?
A square is numbered when it starts an entry — a run of two or more white squares — either across or down. Numbers are then handed out in reading order, left to right and top to bottom, so a square that begins both an across and a down entry gets a single shared number. This tool applies that rule and renumbers the whole grid instantly every time you shade or unshade a square.
Why do crossword grids use 180° rotational symmetry?
It is the long-standing convention in newspaper crosswords, including the New York Times: rotate the grid half a turn and the pattern of black squares looks identical. With symmetry switched on, every block you place is mirrored to the opposite corner automatically. Choose "None" if you are building a free-form or themed grid that does not need it.
What are unchecked squares and why does the tool warn about them?
An unchecked square is a letter that appears in only one entry — it has no crossing word, so a solver gets no help confirming it. Standard American-style construction keeps every letter checked in both directions. The tool counts unchecked squares and also warns if your white squares split into separate regions, which is not allowed in a normal crossword.