Learn Cryptic Crosswords

Teazel Ltd

In-app purchases

About this app

Learn how to solve cryptic crosswords with this interactive app, starting with the basic ideas and easiest types of clue.

Learn Cryptic Crosswords consists of six chapters that take you step by step through every aspect of solving cryptic clues.

How each type of clue works is clearly explained and supported by examples, with simple diagrams to illustrate key ideas.

Each topic is followed by interactive exercises and practice clues designed to reinforce the learning points, and each chapter ends with a practice puzzle to consolidate your learning.

The final chapter explains how to develop your solving skills further. It ends with a selection of newspaper puzzles and is followed by an extensive set of reference tools to use when solving.

Cryptic crosswords are fun to do and give the brain a good work out, exercising the memory and thinking skills, making new connections and extending vocabulary and general knowledge.

Learn Cryptic Crosswords will lead you to an enjoyable and stimulating new pastime.

Note: Chapter 1 is free for all to use. Chapters 2 onward are unlocked for a small one-off purchase.

Ratings and reviews

Disappointed to discover that only one of the six chapters described in such detail is actually included. The remaining five cost 4.99, a higher than average price for an app with fixed content. [Update: I now see that the fact it's only 1 out of the 6 chapters is now noted at end of description so adding a star back] Chapter 1 is well done in terms of content, however the exercises have a number of bugs (ex: screen for the Wordplay clues for the Hidden subchapter do not carry the answer back to the main screen nor do they track your progress correctly). If the sample chapter has a number of little annoyances, that makes me wonder what the unseen chapters are like. That being said, they don't affect the content, just makes it awkward to practice at times. On the plus side, it appears the reference section is available, which is potentially very useful! If you've never done cryptics before, this would be a good intro, based on Chapter 1, especially since good books are hard to find. If you already know how to do them, it seems a little basic, but of course being chapter one, it's the easier clues to solve, so it's hard to tell. Definitely has potential, however I'd suggest the bugs and occasional typos be fixed in Chapter 1 if the developer wishes to sell the remaining chapters.

Great way to learn about and practice Cryptic Crosswords. I've been interested in learning about them for a while and I've had some success, but it's so hard to learn about and practice clues in an easy and contained manor. The app is simplistic and minimalistic, but it does what it says on the tin so far (two chapters into it, and no ads!) Definitely worth it if you want to get into CCs.

Good introduction to cryptics. It's just so much information it gets overwhelming. And even several chapters in, it's still not clear to me how to determine which word is the definition. I wish they would have like ten practice puzzles at the end of every chapter because you can't learn all this at once. Also my phone's keyboard does not always work properly with the tutorial. Sometimes it won't come up at all. But overall, good app. Worth the money.

What's new

Fix for keyboard not popping up a second time in chapters 4 & 5.
Dark mode is now supported (Menu -> App theme).