6 Good Online Crossword Generators (Update 2026)

Last updated on 18 April 2026

How to create crossword puzzles? This is much simpler than it seems thanks to one of the many crossword generators found on the net. A good way to create a fun activity to play with words.

You can design crossword puzzles for your students. You can also ask them to imagine one and then propose it to the class. Depending on the context, we will mainly look for two things: a printable grid (often in PDF, ideally with a solution) and / or a simple link to share for an online resolution.

Here is an updated selection of tools to generate a grid quickly, print it cleanly, or have it resolved directly in a browser.

Educol. Crossword and Hidden Word Generator

Educol offers a stripped-down interface to allow you to create your crossword puzzles without distractions. A title, a subtitle, words to find, clues to challenge the reader and the trick is played. Educol takes care of the rest. Note that Educol also offers a generator of mixed words.

 

Teachers Corner. Pretty crossword puzzles to print

In this corner of the teachers, Teachers corner, You will find a great crossword generator online that does not require a user manual. Just give a title to the grid and then fill out a form to create a crossword.

On the left the word to find. To the right your hint to help the reader. By default, the grid contains ten words. You can go up to thirty.The sheet to be printed for each set of letters is very successful. It incorporates colors and illustrations to customize.

Crossword Labs. An easy and free crossword generator

Crossword Labs is one of the simplest tools on this list. A simple but very effective crossword generator. All you have to do on the homepage is to give your crossword puzzle a title and then type each word followed by its definition on a blank sheet.

Crossword Labs will then generate your grid that you can print easily. The tool is free and crossword puzzles are public. Your creation will enrich a collection of grids created by all users of the service.

Xwords. One of the pioneers but still effective

Xwords is arguably the oldest service in this small crossword software list. This can be seen in its interface but don’t get me wrong the essential is there in this venerable Arrow Words Factory. Xwords is a pretty classic crossword generator. Enter the questions in the "Question" field and the answers in the corresponding "Answer" field.

You can also download the questions and answers from a CSV file or export them in the same format. Xwords provides you with your grid and, if you wish, the solutions in image format.

Crosswords. A generator of Quebec word grids

Crosswords I was told by a reader (Thank you! Julie). It deserves a good place in this list of free tools. This Word Grid Generator was designed by the Centre collégial de développement de material didactique (CCDMD) in Quebec to facilitate rapid vocabulary learning.

It allows the design and creation of custom dictionaries from which it is then possible to generate crossword grids very easily. The tool is complete and very comprehensive with many options to vary the difficulty of the grids.

PuzzleGenio. Create a grid, share it and print it as PDF

PuzzleGenio is an online crossword generator that aims for simplicity: you enter your words and clues, the tool automatically generates the grid. It also highlights “class” use, with a playable grid in the browser and sharing by link.

On the printing side, the service announces a PDF download, with a grid version and a solution version. You can also generate a word list with a small built-in AI. It is free without registration but with advertising.

In practice for the class: 3 simple activity ideas$

Here are examples of simple activities with crossword puzzles. It’s up to you to invent your own.

1) Primary. “Topic words” (discovery/reinvestment)

Choose a theme (sea, forest, emotions, … seasons). Give 8-12 words with simple clues (or phrases with holes). Students solve in pairs, then reuse 3 words in a sentence or mini-text.

Depending on the level, you can offer two versions: one with very guided clues and one with more open clues.

2) College. Sequence vocabulary (French, science, languages)

From a lesson, build a grid with key concepts (sequence words) and short definitions. To be used at the beginning of the session to “reactivate” or at the end to revise.

Tip terrain: avoid too long definitions, otherwise students spend more time decoding the index than mobilising the notion.

3) High school. “Reasonable definitions” (revision and precision)

Have students produce the grid: each group chooses 10 notions, writes clues, and then exchanges with another group that solves and comments on the clarity of the definitions. This is a very good way to identify misunderstood notions, without going through a classic check.

At your crosswords, ready? Play it.

I find that crossword generators are a simple solution to make vocabulary and revision activities, in print or online.

Practical advice: to get a denser and more pleasant grid, mix short words and longer words, and avoid lists with too many very similar terms (plural/variant), which sometimes complicate generation.

Do you use crossword generators? Share your favorites in the comments.

Summary table of solutions (a small quick comparison)

Educol	Create a grid very quickly, without frills (simple activity, quick record)	• Very simple interface, quick to handle • Limited customization (according to available options)
Teachers Corner	Obtain a “type plug” grid ready to print, very class-oriented use	• Many formatting/printing options • May become less practical if annoying advertising/menus (depending on context)
Crossword Labs	Go straight to the point: you enter words + definitions, the grid is generated quickly	• Minimalist, efficient, fast • Less pedagogical sheet / less layout than some tools
Xwords	Reuse lists (import/export), produce multiple grids from existing content	• Import/export (practice if you reuse lists) • Older interface, less “modern” in use
Crosswords (CCDMD)	Working the vocabulary “over time” (resources/dictionaries + grid generation)	• Very complete for building vocabulary activities • May require a little more handling than a 1-click generator
PuzzleGenio	Have the same activity in playable version online and in printable version	• Highlight link sharing, online gaming and PDF export (grid + solution) • Use with caution if you want a very strict GDPR/school framework: check the privacy policy