How to play Clue Search
The rules
- Each puzzle has a theme and a numbered list of clues under the grid.
- Each clue describes one answer hidden in the grid and shows how many letters it has.
- Every answer is hidden in a straight line.
- Find every answer to win. A wrong line costs nothing.
How to play here
- Drag across the letters of an answer, from its first letter to its last, or from its last to its first.
- A found answer stays marked in its own colour, and its clue shows the answer.
- Keyboard: the arrows move, Space marks the first letter, Enter marks the last letter and checks the word, Escape cancels.
- Undo takes back the last answer you found. A hint first tells you which clue to try, then shows where its answer starts.
Difficulty levels
| Level | Grid | Answers | Directions | Clues show |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | 8×8 | 6 | Across and down | First letter and length |
| Medium | 9×9 | 7 | Adds diagonals | First letter and length |
| Hard | 10×10 | 8 | Adds right to left and bottom to top | Length |
| Expert | 10×10 | 8 | All 8 directions | Length |
Tips
- Start with the clue you are sure of, then look for its first letter.
- On easy and medium, the first letter and the length narrow the search fast.
- The theme helps: every answer belongs to it.
FAQ
- Can an answer appear twice in the grid?
- No. Every answer is in the grid exactly once, so when you find a match for a clue, it is the right one.
- Can I drag from the last letter to the first?
- Yes. An answer is found when you drag over its letters in either direction.
- What happens if I drag over the wrong letters?
- Nothing. A wrong line costs nothing, so you can try as often as you like.
- Is there a new puzzle every day?
- Yes. A new Clue Search with a new theme is published every day at each of the four levels: easy, medium, hard and expert. Earlier puzzles are in the archive.
- Do I need an account to play?
- No. You play right in your browser, with no sign-up and no cookies. Your progress is saved in your browser.