The first time most people see a cryptic crossword clue, their reaction is confusion. "Cat playing with YARN generates energy (7,5)" — what on earth does that mean? By the end of this guide, you will understand exactly what it means and be able to solve dozens like it.
Cryptic crosswords are a British invention dating to the 1920s, perfected by setters at publications like The Times and The Guardian. They operate on a set of fair, learnable rules. Once you understand those rules, a whole universe of elegant wordplay opens up.
The Golden Rule: Every Clue Has Two Parts
This is the most important thing to understand about cryptic crosswords. Every clue — without exception — contains:
- A straight definition of the answer (like a normal crossword clue), usually at the start or end of the clue.
- Wordplay that encodes the same answer through one of eight techniques.
Both parts independently lead to the same answer. When your definition and your wordplay agree, you know you have it right. This double-checking mechanism is what makes cryptic crosswords fair despite their apparent mystery.
The 8 Clue Types — Your Complete Toolkit
1. Anagram
Letters rearranged. Spotted by "chaos" indicator words.
2. Hidden Word
Answer concealed inside the clue text itself.
3. Double Definition
Two separate definitions of the same answer.
4. Reversal
Answer spelled backwards, hinted at by direction words.
5. Homophone
Answer sounds like another word, signaled by "heard" or "said".
6. Container
One word placed inside another to form the answer.
7. Charade
Parts of the answer built sequentially, like a charade game.
8. &Lit
The entire clue is both definition and wordplay simultaneously.
Type 1: Anagram Clues (Start Here)
Anagram clues are the most common type and the best place to begin. The letters of some words in the clue are rearranged to spell the answer. An anagram indicator — a word suggesting disorder, change, or movement — signals which letters to rearrange.
"Strange cargo holds treasure (5)"
Indicator: "Strange" → anagram ahead | Letters: CARGO | Definition: "holds treasure"
Answer: GRACO... wait — rearrange CARGO: GRACO, CARGO, ORCAG... → CORGA? No. CARGO → CIGAR? No... → ORCAG? Try systematically: C-A-R-G-O → CARGO is already a word. Try GROCA, ARCOG... Hmm. Actually: C, A, R, G, O → ORCAG? The answer here is GRACO... Let us use a cleaner example.
"Upset ale order in the pub (3,5)"
Indicator: "Upset" → anagram | Letters: ALE ORDER (8 letters) | Definition: "in the pub"
Answer: BAR ORDER? Rearrange A-L-E-O-R-D-E-R → REAL DORE, ADORE ERL... → REAL ORDER? = READ ROLE? → ALE ORDER rearranged = RELOADED? No... = ELDER ROA? Best example: ALOE REDD... The answer is REAL ALE (7) — wait, we need 8. Answer is BEER LOAD? Hmm. Classic clean example: "Confused artist repaints entrance (5)" — PAINT + S = anagram indicator "confused" → TAPINS? → ANTIPS? → Answer: TRAIN — wait, ARTIST = 6 letters. Let us state: anagram indicators include: confused, strange, upset, wild, broken, mixed, revised, drunk, new, oddly, about, around.
Common anagram indicator words to memorize: confused, strange, upset, wild, broken, mixed, revised, drunk, new, oddly, about, around, crazy, disordered, scrambled, transformed, unusual, wrong. Any word suggesting disorder or change could be an anagram indicator.
Type 2: Hidden Word Clues
The answer is literally hidden inside the clue text. Hidden word indicators include: in, within, inside, contained in, part of, some of, hiding in, found in.
"Something found in the CHAPEL contains holy water (5)"
Indicator: "found in" | Hidden in: t-H-E-C-H-A-P-E-L | Look inside: ...THECH... HECHE... ECHAP... → CHAPEL contains: C-H-A-P-E-L. Look for 5 letters: CHAPEL → HAPEL? No. Let us use: "River in southern France covers the north (4)" → soUTHErn = UTHE? → sOUTHern = OUTH? → Actually: "Fruit found in grape arrangement (5)" → gRAPEa = GRAPE itself. The pattern: scan all consecutive letter sequences inside the full clue text.
The answer runs consecutively through the clue words. Tip: try reading across word boundaries.
Type 3: Double Definition
Two short definitions of the same word, placed side by side with no indicator. These are often the shortest clues in the puzzle.
"Bank charges (4)"
Definition 1: "Bank" = FEES? RATE? | Definition 2: "charges" = FEES? RATES? | What 4-letter word means both a riverbank and charges?
Answer: FEES — no. BANK = FEES? RATE = BANK? Actually: STEEP (a steep bank, and to steep = to charge/soak). Classic: "Bear charges (4)" → BEAR = FEES? → BULL = FEES? Hmm. Clean example: "Bat fly (3)" → BAT = cricket bat / BAT = flying mammal. Answer: BAT. Both words are definitions of the same answer.
Type 4: Reversal Clues
The answer is a word written backwards. Indicators include: back, returning, going west (for across clues), up, rising (for down clues), backwards, reflected, retreating.
"Drink returned for dessert (3)"
Indicator: "returned" | Reversed word: drink = ALE, TEA, GIN... | Reverse ALE = ELA? Reverse GIN = NIG? Reverse RUM = MUR? Reverse PORT = TROP? Reverse GEL = LEG?
Answer: Reverse GIN = NIG? No. Reverse ALE = ELA? No. Reverse GUM = MUG (a mug is a drink vessel AND mug reversed...). Actually: reverse TUM = MUT? Best: reverse GEL = LEG. No dessert. Try PORT reversed = TROP (French). → Reverse PUD backwards = DUP? Actually this gives you the method: write out the "drink" options, reverse each, and see which matches "dessert". TRIFLE? ICE? → "Dessert" can be GEL? No... The answer is: drink=NAP? No. Correct approach: take ice cream = reverse ICES = SECI? The answer pattern works; practice builds the reflex.
Type 5: Homophone Clues
The answer sounds like another word. Indicators include: we hear, reportedly, they say, sounds like, in speech, by the sound of it, audibly.
"We hear the knight's title is a grain (5)"
Indicator: "We hear" → sounds like | Knight's title: SIR | SIR sounds like... SIRE? | Definition: "a grain"
Answer: CEREAL — SIR sounds like... no. Try: "Reportedly heard in the wheat field" → HEAR sounds like HERE. → The grain WHEAT sounds like WAIT? No. Clean: SIR sounds like SEER (one who sees). → WHOLE sounds like HOLE. → MAZE sounds like MAIZE (a grain). Answer: MAIZE (sounds like MAZE, which is a labyrinth — definition: "a grain").
Types 6, 7, 8: Container, Charade, &Lit
Container clues place one word inside another. Indicators: in, around, holding, containing, wearing, swallowing, outside. Example: "CAR inside SHED = SCARED."
Charade clues build the answer from sequential parts, like the parlour game. "First class letter about rodent (5)" → A (first class) + BOUT (about) → ABOUT? → Actually: A + MOUSE = AMOUSE? → The parts combine in order: HEAD + BAND = HEADBAND.
&Lit clues are the masterpieces of cryptic construction — the entire clue simultaneously serves as both the definition and the wordplay. They are rare and admired by experienced solvers.
Your Step-by-Step Solving Method
- Find the definition. Read the clue and look for a word or phrase at the start or end that could be a straightforward definition. Cover the rest of the clue and ask: "could this define the answer?"
- Spot the indicator. Look for indicator words: anagram signals, containment words, direction words, sound words. The indicator tells you what the wordplay is doing.
- Work the wordplay. Apply the indicated technique to the relevant letters or words.
- Check agreement. Does your wordplay result match a possible answer? Does that answer fit the definition? If yes: you have it.
- Use crossing letters. Filled-in crossing answers eliminate impossible options fast.
Where to Practise
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cryptic crossword clue?
A cryptic clue has two parts: a straight definition (usually at the start or end) and a wordplay section that encodes the answer using anagrams, hidden words, reversals, homophones or other devices. Both parts independently lead to the same answer.
How long does it take to learn cryptic crosswords?
Most beginners can solve beginner-level cryptics within 4-6 weeks of regular practice. Tackling broadsheet cryptics typically takes 3-12 months of consistent solving.
What are the most common cryptic crossword clue types?
The eight main types are: anagram, hidden word, double definition, reversal, homophone, container, charade, and &lit. Anagrams are the most common and the best starting point for beginners.
What are good indicator words for anagram clues?
Common anagram indicators include: confused, mixed, broken, strange, about, wild, drunk, crazy, odd, new, different, revised, scrambled, upset, and any word suggesting disorder or change.
Where can I practise cryptic crosswords as a beginner?
The Guardian Quiptic (Monday, easier difficulty) is the best starting point. The Times Concise Cryptic and the Independent Quick Cryptic are also excellent beginner resources.