Good crossword games for adults on Android include themed daily grids, newspaper-style puzzles, number crosswords and head-to-head games against another player. Five of the eight here say they play offline. Every one shows a Contains ads label and has in-app purchases.
A crossword over a cup of tea is one of life's small pleasures, and it travels well on a phone. The trick is finding one that matches how you like to solve, whether that's cryptic-ish themes, quick minis or a battle with a friend.
I went through the Google Play pages for eight popular crossword apps and noted the developer, installs, the ads and in-app purchases labels, the content rating and any offline wording. There's no ranking in the order.
Every app here shows both a Contains ads label and in-app purchases, so the labels won't separate them. The style of puzzle will, and that's what this page is built around.
Crossword apps at a glance
| Game | Developer | Google Play installs | Ads / in-app purchases | Offline wording on the listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CodyCross: Crossword Puzzles | Fanatee, Inc. | 100M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Daily Themed Crossword Puzzles | PlaySimple Games | 10M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | 'a free, offline crossword game made for crossword lovers' |
| Math Crossword - Number puzzle | Tripledot Studios Limited | 10M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | 'Offline mode allows brain training on the go.' |
| Crossword Master - Word Puzzle | Easybrain | 10M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Redstone Crossword Puzzle | Redstone Games | 5M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | 'You can solve crosswords offline' |
| English Crossword Puzzle | Litera Games | 5M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | 'Offline crosswords levels' |
| Crossword Go! | PlaySimple Games | 1M+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | No offline claim on the listing |
| Word Journey: Crossword Puzzle | Lumica Games | 50K+ | Contains ads, in-app purchases | 'Play offline anytime without Wi-Fi' |
Eight crossword apps worth a look
CodyCross: Crossword Puzzles
A friendly alien called Cody comes to Earth to learn about us, and each themed crossword feeds you a few facts along the way. Fanatee's game has more than 100M installs and mixes trivia with spelling.
Daily Themed Crossword Puzzles
A new themed puzzle every day, built for a short daily habit. PlaySimple's listing pitches it at both beginners and seasoned solvers, and says it plays offline.
Math Crossword - Number puzzle
Same grid, different clues: instead of words, you fill the squares with numbers so each sum works. Tripledot Studios' listing aims it at learners of all ages, and it says it plays offline.
Crossword Master - Word Puzzle
A turn-based crossword where you and an opponent fill in the same grid and compete for points. It uses Scandinavian-style clues inside the cells, so there's no separate clue list to scroll through.
Redstone Crossword Puzzle
The closest thing here to a newspaper crossword: human-made puzzles in mini, midi and regular sizes, with a dark mode and handy hints. It's rated Teen, and its listing says you can solve offline.
English Crossword Puzzle
Litera Games builds this around vocabulary, so it suits anyone brushing up their English as well as fans of easy grids. It's rated Teen and lists offline levels and unlimited hints.
Crossword Go!
The second PlaySimple game and the second head-to-head one: you draw letters from a deck and take turns with an opponent to complete a Scandinavian-style grid.
Word Journey: Crossword Puzzle
More of a gentle word puzzle than a strict crossword. You connect letters to fill a crossword-style grid while travelling around the world, and Lumica Games' listing says it plays without Wi-Fi.
Which kind of solver are you?
If you like a daily ritual, Daily Themed Crossword and CodyCross are built for it. Each puzzle has a theme, and the clues lean on general knowledge rather than wordplay. They're a gentle start to the day.
If you miss the newspaper, Redstone Crossword Puzzle is the nearest match.
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If you're competitive, Crossword Master and Crossword Go! both pit you against another player on the same grid. And if numbers appeal more than words, Math Crossword swaps clues for sums.
Crosswords that keep working on a plane
Five listings say they play offline: Daily Themed Crossword, Math Crossword, Redstone Crossword Puzzle, English Crossword Puzzle and Word Journey. The table above quotes each one. The two head-to-head games don't make that claim, which makes sense, since they need an opponent.
Before a trip, open your chosen app once with Wi-Fi on so any new puzzles download, then check it with aeroplane mode on.
Grown-up ratings and in-app hints
- Rating: six are rated Everyone. Redstone Crossword Puzzle and English Crossword Puzzle are rated Teen.
- Ads: all eight show a Contains ads label.
- In-app purchases: all eight have them, usually for hints, letter reveals or removing adverts.
Hints are where most crossword apps nudge you. A good habit is to leave a stubborn clue and come back to it later, when the crossing words often give it away. You'll lean on hints less, and the puzzle feels more like yours.
Crosswords as a way to wind down
Plenty of adults use a daily puzzle as a few quiet minutes away from everything else. My piece on how adults can use puzzle games to relieve daily stress looks at how to keep that habit relaxing rather than another thing to tick off.
If you'd like to mix things up, word searches make a gentle change. Here's how to find word search puzzle games for daily practice. And for the wider picture, my guide on how to pick the best word puzzle games for your brain sets out what the research does and doesn't support.
Frequently asked questions
What are good crossword games for adults on Android?
The eight on this page cover the main styles: themed daily grids, newspaper-style puzzles, number crosswords and head-to-head games.
Which crossword apps work offline?
Daily Themed Crossword, Math Crossword, Redstone Crossword Puzzle, English Crossword Puzzle and Word Journey all have offline wording on their listings.
Can you play a crossword against someone else?
Yes. Crossword Master and Crossword Go! are turn-based games where you and an opponent fill the same grid.
Do crossword apps have ads?
All eight here show a Contains ads label and have in-app purchases on Google Play.
Is there a crossword with numbers instead of words?
Yes. Math Crossword - Number puzzle fills the grid with sums instead of word clues.
Which crossword app is closest to a newspaper puzzle?
Redstone Crossword Puzzle, which offers human-made puzzles in mini, midi and regular sizes.
