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Sunday, January 4, 2026
7 down: your movie sucks by 7down.
Apple News: ($) Off to a Good Start by Chandi Deitmer. News+ Subscription Required
Apple News Mini: ($) Daily Mini by David Steinberg. News+ Subscription Required
The Atlantic: by Zachary Edward-Brown & Malaika Handa; edited by Kelsey Dixon.
Black Crossword: Mini by Juliana Pache.
Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago-Style (Mini) Crossword by Kelsey Dixon.
Crossword Club: Daily Crossword: January 4, 2026 by Kate Chin Park.
Crossword Flow: ($) Still Life by Sally Hoelscher. iPad-exclusive app.
Daily Beast: Happy Ewwww Year! Thurs. Jan. 1, 2025 by Matt Gaffney.
The Hub Crossword: ($) Emotion by Joon Pahk. Patreon subscription.
Jeff’s Puzzles: Themeless 119 by Jeff Linder.
Lexicon Devil: Slow Down a Second (meta) by Richard D. Allen.
M & M Crosswords: Molly Jones by Martina Waluk.
Poppy Puzzles: we come to this place for magic by maddy ziegler.
Pun Of A Kind: A Complete Meal by Mikey G.
Puzzmo: All About Eve by Enrique. Online only
Puzzmo: Mini Crossword by Brooke Husic. Online only
Slate: Slate Mini: Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 by Dan Kois.
Smooth Sailing Sunday: Weekly Meta
Southern Crosswords: southern crosswords mini #86 by michael.
World of Crosswords: themeless 163 by Marya and Carla.The Boston Globe: Mini Crossword by Sowmya Ramkumar.
Los Angeles Times: CONFOUNDED by Doug Peterson. Create free Cruciverb account for .puz.
Los Angeles Times Mini: by Elizabeth Gorski.
Merl Reagle Archives: January 4, 2026 – Bed and Breakfast Alternatives by Merl Reagle.
Merriam Webster: The Missing Letter by Matt Gaffney
New York Sun: ($) Long Vowels by Peter A. Collins. Reissues from 2008.
New York Times: ($) Base Pairs by Gene Louise De Vera.
New York Times Mini: by Joel Fagliano.
Newsday: 1/4/26 a CENTURY AGO: What Happened in 1926 by Stan Newman. Online .pdf
Premier Crossword: by Frank Longo. .pdf, online only
Sporcle: Sigourney Weaver by bhenderson79. Online only
Universal: ($) Themeless Sunday 166 by Adrian Johnson. Direct link to .puz.
Universal Sunday: Splitting Hairs by Ryan Mathiason. Direct link to .puz.
USA Today: Catch Me if You Can by Sally Hoelscher.
Washington Post: City Limits by Evan Birnholz. Direct link to .puz.Crosshare Community: Daily Mini and Featured Puzzles.
Crossherd: Daily Mini. Online only
Crosswordr Community: Community Puzzle Platform.
Crosswords with Friends: Sunday Funday App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Midi Puzzle App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Mini Puzzle App Store | Google Play
Daily POP Crosswords: by Patti Varol. App Store | Google Play, Online, phone app only
Fast Company: Team Effort by Joe Rodini.
India Mini Crossword: Daily Mini
LunaMini: Game night (Mini crossword) by Luna. Online only
Mangesh Ghogre’s Indian Mini Crosswords: Daily Mini by Mangesh Ghogre.
PlayFour: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online only
Squared Away: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online only
The Telegraph: Cross Atlantic Online only
TV Crossword: Weekly Puzzle. .pdf, online only
YourPuzzleSource: Weekly 15×15 by Phil Fraas.Sporcle: Daily Acrostic Online only
Stay Golden Puzzles: ($) Rows Garden by Juliana Tringali Golden. Purchase at link.
TLMB: Trebuchet Days I & II by The Void .pdf, online onlyAzed Cryptic: Cryptic
Everyman Cryptic: Cryptic
Financial Times: FT Crossword .pdf only
The Hindu Cryptic: ($) The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday .pdf, online.
The Independent: Cryptic Crossword .pdf, online only
New York Times Variety: ($) Split Decisions by Fred Piscop.Check out the DCL’s staff recommendations from last week’s puzzles
Other American-style links:
Reviews and Discussion at Diary of a Crossword Fiend | Boatload Puzzles/AARP | “Crosscord” Discord | Crucidrama (en español) | Cruciverbalista (en español) | Easy Crossword (Newsday Archives) | FreeDailyCrosswords | Medium Crossword (Newsday Archives) | Hard Crossword (Newsday Archives) | r/crossword | USA Today Reviews and Discussion at Off the Grid | Squares.io | XWord-Muggles Meta Calendar
Other Cryptic/Variety links:
A Frame Games | cf.kmbweb.de Links Library | CoxRathvon.com | Harper’s ($) | Lovatts | Magpie ($) | Mokelfish Links Library | MyCrossword | NPL | Panda Magazine ($) | Private Eye | PuzzleCrypt archives | Puzzling StackExchange | r/crosswords | Sydney Morning Herald ($) | The Telegraph | The Times (UK) ($), includes The Listener
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Saturday, January 3, 2026
Apple News: ($) Freestyle by Adrian Johnson. News+ Subscription Required
Apple News Mini: ($) Daily Mini by Erik Agard. News+ Subscription Required
The Atlantic: by Amanda Rafkin; edited by Kelsey Dixon.
Black Crossword: Mini by Juliana Pache.
Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago-Style (Mini) Crossword by Kelsey Dixon.
Club 72: Freestyle 1077: “The tension is mounting.” by Tim Croce. .pdf, .puz only
Crossword Club: Daily Crossword by Will Nediger.
Crossword Flow: ($) by Ada Nicolle. iPad-exclusive app.
Crossword Nexus Blog: Puzzle #145: Bearing Fruit by Alex Boisvert
Matt Gaffney’s Weekly Crossword Contest: ($) MGWCC #918 — “Fourth And Goal” (Meta) by Matt Gaffney. Subscribe at Patreon.
Morning Brew: Fresh Start by Jack Murtagh.
Puzzmo: This Is So Over My Head by Stella Zawistowski. Online only
Puzzmo: Mini Crossword by Brooke Husic. Online only
Reason: Art Anti-Authority by Stella Zawistowski.
Southern Crosswords: southern crosswords mini #85 by michael.
Spyscape: Round and Round and Round by Jeff Stillman.
Trash Panda Puzzles: 165: Naming the Ferocious Egg (7x No. 3) by Jason “Jac” Crabtree
The Walrus: Gladly! (themeless) by Emma Lawson.The Boston Globe: Mini Crossword by Sowmya Ramkumar.
Los Angeles Times: by Kyle Dolan. Create free Cruciverb account for .puz.
Los Angeles Times Mini: by Elizabeth Gorski.
Merriam Webster: The Missing Letter by Matt Gaffney
New York Magazine: A New Role by Matt Gaffney.
New York Sun: ($) Trains Rolling In by Kevin George. Reissues from 2008.
New York Times: ($) by Hannah Slovut-Einertson.
New York Times Mini: by Joel Fagliano.
Newsday: Saturday Stumper by AuthorName. Online .pdf
Universal: ($) Universal Freestyle 205 by Geoffrey Schorkopf. Direct link to .puz.
USA Today: Twisted Metal by Brian Callahan.
Vox: 1-26 by Andrew J. Ries.
The Wall Street Journal: Not Business as Usual by Randolph Ross. Direct link to .puz.Crosshare Community: Daily Mini and Featured Puzzles.
Crossherd: Daily Mini. Online only
Crosswordr Community: Community Puzzle Platform.
Crosswords with Friends: Smartypants Saturday App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Midi Puzzle App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Mini Puzzle App Store | Google Play
Daily POP Crosswords: by Bonnie L. Gentry. App Store | Google Play, Online, phone app only
India Mini Crossword: Daily Mini
LunaMini: NATO phonetic alphabet (Mini crossword) by Luna. Online only
Mangesh Ghogre’s Indian Mini Crosswords: Daily Mini by Mangesh Ghogre.
The New Dork Times: New Dork Times Puzzle: Mini 180 by Cole Rush. Subscribe at link.
PlayFour: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online only
Squared Away: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online only
The Telegraph: Cross Atlantic Online only
Washington Post Daily Mini Meta: by Frank Longo.Sporcle: Daily Acrostic Online only
TLMB: Cigar Boxes by The Void .pdf, online only
Tortoiseshell Studio: ($) Bonus Pathfinder by Nathan Curtis. Patreon subscription.Financial Times: FT Crossword .pdf only
Financial Times: FT Crossword: Polymath .pdf only
Financial Times: FT Weekend Magazine Crossword .pdf only
Gemelo Cryptic: Cryptic
The Hindu Cryptic: Daily Cryptic .pdf, online.
The Independent: Cryptic Crossword .pdf, online only
WSJ Variety: Curly Quote by Patrick Berry. Direct link to .pdf.Check out the DCL’s staff recommendations from last week’s puzzles
Other American-style links:
Reviews and Discussion at Diary of a Crossword Fiend | Boatload Puzzles/AARP | “Crosscord” Discord | Crucidrama (en español) | Cruciverbalista (en español) | Easy Crossword (Newsday Archives) | FreeDailyCrosswords | Medium Crossword (Newsday Archives) | Hard Crossword (Newsday Archives) | r/crossword | USA Today Reviews and Discussion at Off the Grid | Squares.io | XWord-Muggles Meta Calendar
Other Cryptic/Variety links:
A Frame Games | cf.kmbweb.de Links Library | CoxRathvon.com | Harper’s ($) | Lovatts | Magpie ($) | Mokelfish Links Library | MyCrossword | NPL | Panda Magazine ($) | Private Eye | PuzzleCrypt archives | Puzzling StackExchange | r/crosswords | Sydney Morning Herald ($) | The Telegraph | The Times (UK) ($), includes The Listener
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Friday, January 2, 2026
Apple News: ($) Cash Crop by Kelvin Zhou. News+ Subscription Required
Apple News Mini: ($) Daily Mini by Taylor Johnson. News+ Subscription Required
Ariadne’s Crossword Library: January 2026 Monthly Contest: “Are You Missing Something?” by Hannah Binney. .pdf, .puz only
The Atlantic Mini: by Amanda Rafkin; edited by Kelsey Dixon.
Billboard: by Comeback City by Adam Aaronson.
Black Crossword: Mini by Juliana Pache.
Brian Gubin: Themed #168 – Carry Out by Brian Gubin.
Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago-Style (Mini) Crossword by Kelsey Dixon.
Crossword Club: Daily Crossword: January 2, 2026 by Kelsey Dixon.
Crossword Curiosities: Dissect the Text by Madison Shultz.
Crossword Flow: ($) A “Hole” Lotta P’s by Kareem Ayas. iPad-exclusive app.
Hyperallergic: The Art Crossword: Art Deco Edition by Natan Last.
People Puzzler: Supports A.F.C. Richmond by Steph Spadaccini.
Puzzmo: Work It Out by Bonnie Eisenman. Online only
Puzzmo: Mini Crossword by Brooke Husic. Online only
SFGATE California Mini Crossword: Mini Crossword. Online only.
Slate: Slate Crossword: Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 by Adam Levav.
Slate: Slate Mini: Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 by Quiara Vasquez.
Southern Crosswords: southern crosswords mini #84 by michael.
Vulture 10×10: The Travel Writer Puzzle by Malaika Handa.The Boston Globe: Mini Crossword by Sowmya Ramkumar.
Los Angeles Times: by Nate Curry & Kevin Curry. Create free Cruciverb account for .puz.
Los Angeles Times Mini: by Elizabeth Gorski.
Merriam Webster: The Missing Letter by Matt Gaffney
New York Sun: ($) Four-Legged People by Mark Feldman. Reissues from 2008.
New York Times: ($) by Adam Wagner and Rafael Musa.
New York Times Mini: by Sam Ezersky.
The New Yorker Mini: January 2, 2026 by Kate Chin Park.
Newsday: 1/2/26 Turndowns by Guilherme Gilioli. Online .pdf
Universal: ($) Beyond the Surface by Jake Halperin. Direct link to .puz.
USA Today: Be You by Olivia Mitra Framke.
Vox: by Andrew J. Ries.
The Wall Street Journal: A Quarter of the Way There by Matt Gaffney. Direct link to .puz.Crosshare Community: Daily Mini and Featured Puzzles.
Crossherd: Daily Mini. Online only
Crosswordr Community: Community Puzzle Platform.
Crosswords with Friends: Sports Fan Friday App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Midi Puzzle App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Mini Puzzle App Store | Google Play
Daily POP Crosswords: by Gail Grabowski. App Store | Google Play, Online, phone app only
Fast Company: Daily Mini by Joe Rodini.
India Mini Crossword: Daily Mini
LunaMini: Luna’s resolution (Mini crossword) by Luna. Online only
Mangesh Ghogre’s Indian Mini Crosswords: Daily Mini by Mangesh Ghogre.
PlayFour: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online only
Squared Away: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online only
The Telegraph: Cross Atlantic Online only
The Times Ponder: ($) Weekly Puzzle. .pdf, online only
Washington Post Daily Mini Meta: by Frank Longo.
YourPuzzleSource: Daily Puzzle (Midi) by Phil Fraas.BEQ: Cryptic Thursday by Brendan Emmett Quigley.
Out Of Left Field: ($) #301 by Joshua Kosman & Henri Picciotto. Patreon subscription.
Sporcle: Daily Acrostic Online only
TLMB: Seriously by The Void .pdf, online onlyFinancial Times: FT Crossword .pdf only
The Guardian: Cryptic crossword No 29,893 by Fed.
The Hindu Cryptic: Daily Cryptic .pdf, online.
The Independent: Cryptic Crossword .pdf, online onlyCheck out the DCL’s staff recommendations from last week’s puzzles
Other American-style links:
Reviews and Discussion at Diary of a Crossword Fiend | Boatload Puzzles/AARP | “Crosscord” Discord | Crucidrama (en español) | Cruciverbalista (en español) | Easy Crossword (Newsday Archives) | FreeDailyCrosswords | Medium Crossword (Newsday Archives) | Hard Crossword (Newsday Archives) | r/crossword | USA Today Reviews and Discussion at Off the Grid | Squares.io | XWord-Muggles Meta Calendar
Other Cryptic/Variety links:
A Frame Games | cf.kmbweb.de Links Library | CoxRathvon.com | Harper’s ($) | Lovatts | Magpie ($) | Mokelfish Links Library | MyCrossword | NPL | Panda Magazine ($) | Private Eye | PuzzleCrypt archives | Puzzling StackExchange | r/crosswords | Sydney Morning Herald ($) | The Telegraph | The Times (UK) ($), includes The Listener
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Thursday, January 1, 2026
Apple News: ($) Freestyle by Elijah Acquah. News+ Subscription Required
Apple News Mini: ($) Daily Mini by Taylor Johnson. News+ Subscription Required
The Atlantic Mini: by Amanda Rafkin; edited by Kelsey Dixon.
Billboard: by Stella Zawistowski.
Black Crossword: Mini by Juliana Pache.
Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago-Style (Mini) Crossword by Kelsey Dixon.
ClassiCanadian Crosswords: ($) Sad Endings by Barb Olson. Subscribe at link.
Crossword Club: Daily Crossword: January 1, 2026 by Erica Hsiung Wojcik.
Crossword Flow: ($) by Igor Ryzhkov. iPad-exclusive app.
Daily Beast: And the Broadcaster Is… Weds. Dec. 31, 2025 by Matt Gaffney.
Jeff’s Puzzles: Resolution – Fiat Pax! by Jeff Linder.
Jonesin’: The Best of 2025 by Matt Jones. Direct .puz link
M & M Crosswords: Grow Wiser by Martina Waluk.
Memorial Hall Library: Never too late to get published.
Playbill Puzzles: Puzzle #1: The Absent Bill? (Meta) by Danny K Bernstein.
Puzzmo: Blast Off! by Willa. Online only
Puzzmo: Mini Crossword by Brooke Husic. Online only
Quid Pro: The GenXword Mini 1/1/26 #tbt by Andrew Anker. Online at Crosswordr.
SFGATE California Mini Crossword: Mini Crossword by Rebecca Goldstein. Online only.
Slate: Slate Mini: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 by Kiran Pandey.
Southern Crosswords: southern crosswords mini #83 by michael.
Souvenir Puzzles: Flip the Calendar (mini) by Nir Shtuhl.
Texas Monthly: Trading Places by Caroline Hand.
Vulture 10×10: The Katz’s Puzzle by Stella Zawistowski.
xwordswithbabka: Barred Grid by Dan Schwartz.The Boston Globe: Mini Crossword by Sowmya Ramkumar.
Los Angeles Times: by Jill Rafaloff & Michelle Sontarp. Create free Cruciverb account for .puz.
Los Angeles Times Mini: by Elizabeth Gorski.
Merriam Webster: The Missing Letter by Matt Gaffney
New York Sun: ($) Warrior by Karen M. Tracey. Reissues from 2008.
New York Times: ($) by Topher Booth.
New York Times Mini: by Sam Ezersky.
New York Times Monthly Bonus: Your Time Starts Now by Rena Cohen.
The New Yorker Mini: The Mini Crossword: Thursday, January 1, 2026 by Mollie Cowget.
Newsday: 1/1/26 Agreed by Prasanna Keshava. Online .pdf
Universal: ($) Muted Color by Zhouqin Burnikel. Direct link to .puz.
USA Today: Begin Again (Freestyle) by Amie Walker.
Vox: by Will Nediger.Crosshare Community: Daily Mini and Featured Puzzles.
Crossherd: Daily Mini. Online only
Crosswordr Community: Community Puzzle Platform.
Crosswords with Friends: Top 40 Thursday App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Midi Puzzle App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Mini Puzzle App Store | Google Play
Daily POP Crosswords: by Janice Luttrell. App Store | Google Play, Online, phone app only
Fast Company: Daily Mini by Joe Rodini.
India Mini Crossword: Daily Mini
LunaMini: 26 (Mini crossword) by Luna. Online only
Mangesh Ghogre’s Indian Mini Crosswords: Daily Mini by Mangesh Ghogre.
The New Dork Times: New Dork Times Puzzle: Mini 179 by Cole Rush. Subscribe at link.
PlayFour: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online only
Squared Away: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online only
The Telegraph: Cross Atlantic Online only
Washington Post Daily Mini Meta: by Frank Longo.
YourPuzzleSource: Daily Puzzle (Midi) by Phil Fraas.A Cleverly-Titled Logic Puzzle Blog: Wordy Wednesday 681: Touchword 34 by Grant Fikes. .pdf only
Puzzle Tome: Treasure (Cryptic) .pdf, online.
Sporcle: Daily Acrostic Online only
Square Chase: ($) Fresh Start (Variety Cryptic) by Steve Mossberg. Patreon subscription.Financial Times: FT Crossword .pdf only
The Guardian: Cryptic crossword No 29,892 by Vlad.
The Hindu Cryptic: Daily Cryptic .pdf, online.
The Independent: Cryptic Crossword .pdf, online only
New Scientist: ($) Biweekly Cryptic Subscribe at link.
The Spectator: ($) Weekly Cryptic Subscribe at link.Check out the DCL’s staff recommendations from last week’s puzzles
Other American-style links:
Reviews and Discussion at Diary of a Crossword Fiend | Boatload Puzzles/AARP | “Crosscord” Discord | Crucidrama (en español) | Cruciverbalista (en español) | Easy Crossword (Newsday Archives) | FreeDailyCrosswords | Medium Crossword (Newsday Archives) | Hard Crossword (Newsday Archives) | r/crossword | USA Today Reviews and Discussion at Off the Grid | Squares.io | XWord-Muggles Meta Calendar
Other Cryptic/Variety links:
A Frame Games | cf.kmbweb.de Links Library | CoxRathvon.com | Harper’s ($) | Lovatts | Magpie ($) | Mokelfish Links Library | MyCrossword | NPL | Panda Magazine ($) | Private Eye | PuzzleCrypt archives | Puzzling StackExchange | r/crosswords | Sydney Morning Herald ($) | The Telegraph | The Times (UK) ($), includes The Listener
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Crossworld News & Notes: Happy New Year!
It’s been quite a while since our last News & Notes, so most of this will be brief link dumps. However, we’re making sure to get this out today, as registration for the 2026 ACPT opens for previous attendees at noon Eastern (a little less than 12 hours after this email) on January 1st.
The last few years have seen both tournament and hotel spots sell out earlier and earlier, and Will Shortz has announced that the 2026 tournament will be the last in Stamford, as the ACPT moves to Philadelphia in 2027, so interest in this year’s tournament is likely to be sky-high.
More information – and at noon tomorrow, registration – at the tournament website.
Crossword Con, hosted by Puzzmo, will once again take place on the Friday of ACPT weekend in Manhattan. There’s little more than a “save the date” right now, but that’s enough to make plans if you’re interested.
Many thanks to all who donated to our annual fundraiser. If you did donate, and you haven’t received the puzzles, either something has gone wrong or I haven’t been able to connect your donation to an email. Please email us at crossword links [at] gmail [dot] com so I can get the puzzle pack to you.
You can donate at any time of the year and be added to the list for our next fundraiser pack. More information at our Support Us page.
Prior to ACPT, Boswords’ Winter Wondersolve will take place online on Sunday, February 1st. More information and puzzles from Boswords’ two 2025 Themeless Leagues and summer tournament available at the link.
Across The Universe, Natan Last’s book exploring the crossword as a cultural instrument, published around Thanksgiving and is available to purchase, if you don’t already have it. Among many events, media pieces, etc, Natan joined the Because Language podcast to chat about the book. He’ll be on the West Coast and in DC promoting the book through January, if you’re in the areas.
Shifting to a more rapid-fire list of highlights, we’ll start with a reminder to check T Campbell’s Grid in the coming days. His crossword year-in-review posts are always an enjoyable read around the New Year.
A Trans Person Made Your Crossword is a puzzle pack written, edited, test-solved, and typeset by trans and non-binary people in support of US-based transgender charities. Released in June, the pack raised more than $25,000. Organizer Ada Nicolle had a nice interview with The Halifax Examiner about the project. I’m not sure if the puzzles are still available, but the charities are certainly still welcoming donations!
A March profile from Vulture on Will Shortz’ rehab
An interview with NYT Connections editor Wyna Liu in InsideHook
An excellent piece in Slate on cryptic crosswords crossing over to US
If you missed them, we rolled out a new DCL feature in 2025: Constructor Spotlights. Spotlights run roughly monthly, with the aim of highlighting the human/relational side of crosswords. I’m biased, but they’re some of my favorite crossword content of the year, so I hope you’ll catch up on any you missed.
A Globe and Mail profile of the multitalented Will Nediger
Also new this year was Crosstalk: A Crossword Construction Podcast from Daniel Grinberg. Episodes are engaging and insightful, and a window into construction that I think we just don’t get from step by step guides or written instructions.
Josh Kosman and Henri Picciotto, who run the cryptic subscription Out of Left Field, are now selling compilations of their puzzles from The Nation in pdf form.
A fun profile of the 2025 ACPT and some of its solvers. Paolo Pasco no longer works in LinkedIn’s puzzles department, but he penned this reflection following his win.
The New York Times released a hardcover PuzzleMania book featuring new versions of many of the games found in their daily offering and the annual PuzzleMania insert.
By Kids, for Solvers of All Ages wasn’t a daily New York Times puzzle, but was submitted through the normal channel by Nate (10 years old) and Kaela Curry (8). Christina Iverson conducted a brief interview with the pair alongside the puzzle running.
The New York Times released a hardcover PuzzleMania book featuring new versions of many of the games found in their daily offering and the annual PuzzleMania insert.
By Kids, for Solvers of All Ages wasn’t a daily New York Times puzzle, but was submitted through the normal channel by Nate (10 years old) and Kaela Curry (8). Christina Iverson conducted a brief interview with the pair alongside the puzzle running.
The Brookline (MA) News ran a nice piece on the concentration of ACPT solvers from the Boston neighborhood.
Adam Aaronson published an essay on his site exploring what he calls the “square theory,” an apparatus to analyze why wordplay works, whether in clues, puzzle themes, whatever. I can’t recommend it enough.
‘In setting any crossword clue, always, always think of the solver’ is an interview with longtime cryptic setter Azed, but the insights about a solver’s relationship with a clue or puzzle are just as applicable to our side of the pond
Dan Feyer made an appearance on the podcast “The Extraordinarians,” which is devoted to conversations with “chat with the world’s most extraordinary record breakers … a little spotlight on the strangest and most unlikely champions.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Jack Dreyer got some headlines this summer for his crossword habit, including a puzzle he constructed himself.
Ryan Judge put together an updated assessment of the most commonly solved crosswords for the “Crosscord” Discord server, sorting for size, themed/themeless, and difficulty. Your mileage may vary, but it’s a good place to start if you’re looking to try out a new puzzle.
These Puzzles Fund Abortion founder Rachel Fabi sat down the joysticks! podcast to discuss the crossword community and TPFA. I hadn’t heard of this podcast previously, but it’s been a fun listen since. In their own words: “joysticks! is a podcast dedicated to the notion that games and their creation are an excellent way to be imaginative about systems and structures of society, and this imagination is a pillar of a more revolutionary world.”A profile on (and puzzle by) constructor Mark McLaughlin by his employer, the University of British Columbia, where he serves as Dean.
“Fill Harmonics” is a fun thing from Parker Higgins. I don’t know how better to describe it than he does, if you click through.
Alex Boisvert introduced another new tool at the Crossword Nexus, the crossword sharer, which allows for crossword sharing and in-browser solving without uploading material to third parties or agreeing to terms of service that are rapidly changing in the AI era.
“Block Party Puzzles” is a Detroit-themed puzzle book from Sala Wanetick and Emily Biegas.
Christopher Newport University ran a piece on student constructor Baylor Gallagher, who learned the hobby from indie puzzle mainstay Neville Fogarty, who teaches at the university.
“Puzzles of 2025” is a crossword/set list hybrid: a 40-track album where each track is a crossword clue. I certainly haven’t ever seen anything like it. Well worth a click through to read through the creators’ notes.Just a few days ago, Jac Crabtree at Trash Panda Puzzles announced his own 7×7 project, hearkening back to Malaika Handa’s daily puzzle from a few years ago, creating a grid for every possible 7×7 crossword design. Malaika’s original project was one of the highlights of 2021, and it’s fun to see it crop up again.
“Puzzmo’s Recent Set Of Daily Puzzles Helped Me See Crosswords In A New Way” highlights Brooke Husic’s recent month-long project to highlight different aspects of core crossword strategies through mini puzzles, each featuring a specific window into the tacit language of crosswords.
In the author’s words:
“Subsequent puzzles explain how crossword makers clue you in to whether they’re asking for someone’s full name or a nickname, how they handle abbreviations, and all the subtle ways that the language of a question can help you answer it. While it might not seem like it at first, there’s a lot of complexity being communicated by phrases like “for short” at the end of a clue, and this series of mini-crosswords have made me far more able to understand those meanings.”
One of Brooke’s guiding tenets at Puzzmo is that any puzzle might be someone’s first crossword. The mini series, beginning on October 1st, is a great resource for anyone you’re trying to introduce to the form.
A fond farewell to end this (long) edition: after 15 years, longtime Wordplay columnist Deb Amlen will retire from the New York Times this Friday. For many, many solvers, Deb’s helpful and humorous writeups were their first “in” to seeing the Times puzzle as a bit less intimidating, and a model for puzzle criticisms and discussion whose influence can be seen anywhere people talk puzzles. Best wishes, Deb!
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Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Apple News: ($) Boxed In by Zhouqin Burnikel. News+ Subscription Required
Apple News Mini: ($) Daily Mini by Erik Agard. News+ Subscription Required
The Atlantic Mini: by Amanda Rafkin.
AVCX+: ($) December 31, 2025 :”Ray of Hope” by Mat Holmes. Subscribe at link.
Billboard: Rap Duo by Adam Aaronson.
Black Crossword: Mini by Juliana Pache.
Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago-Style (Mini) Crossword by Kelsey Dixon.
Club 72: Freestyle 1076: “Time for plan B.” by Tim Croce. .pdf, .puz only
Crossword Club: Daily Crossword: December 31, 2025 by Kate Chin Park.
Crossword Club: Salt Shakers by Trent H. Evans.
Crossword Flow: ($) Taste the Rainbow by Olivia Mitra Framke. iPad-exclusive app.
Daily Beast: The Hills Are Alive with The Sound of Music, Tues. Dec. 30, 2025 by Matt Gaffney.
Elliot’s Puzzles: Looming Large by Elliot’s Puzzles. Online at Crosswordr.
In Pursuit of Puzzles: Is That Clinique You’re Wearing? (Acrostic #11) by Jeanne Breen.
MEOW: Weekly Meta: Count Down by DrTom.
People Puzzler: Community and Beyond by Will Eisenberg.
Puzzmo: Midnight Countdown by Olivia Mitra Framke. Online only
Puzzmo: Mini Crossword by Brooke Husic. Online only
SFGATE California Mini Crossword: Mini Crossword by Enrique. Online only.
Slate: Slate Mini: Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025 by Adrianne Baik.
Southern Crosswords: southern crosswords mini #82 by michael.
Vulture 10×10: The Katz’s Puzzle by Stella Zawistowski.The Boston Globe: Mini Crossword by Sowmya Ramkumar.
Los Angeles Times: by Rebecca Goldstein. Create free Cruciverb account for .puz.
Los Angeles Times Mini: by Elizabeth Gorski.
Merriam Webster: The Missing Letter by Matt Gaffney
New York Sun: ($) Speed Limit 670,616,629 537/1397 MPH by Jonathan Gersch. Reissues from 2008.
New York Times: ($) by Jeffrey Martinovic.
New York Times Mini: by Joel Fagliano.
The New Yorker: Wednesday Puzzle by Natan Last.
Newsday: 12/31/25 Front Men by Zachary Edward-Brown. Online .pdf
Universal: ($) Trading Places by Caroline Hand. Direct link to .puz.
USA Today: Ball Drop by Stella Zawistowski.
Vox: by Adesina O. Koiki.
The Wall Street Journal: Good Intentions by Mike Shenk. Direct link to .puz.Crosshare Community: Daily Mini and Featured Puzzles.
Crossherd: Daily Mini. Online only
Crosswordr Community: Community Puzzle Platform.
Crosswords with Friends: Wayback Wednesday App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Midi Puzzle App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Mini Puzzle App Store | Google Play
Daily POP Crosswords: by Robin Stears. App Store | Google Play, Online, phone app only
Fast Company: Daily Mini by Joe Rodini.
India Mini Crossword: Daily Mini
LunaMini: Happy New Year! (Mini crossword) by Luna. Online only
Mangesh Ghogre’s Indian Mini Crosswords: Daily Mini by Mangesh Ghogre.
PlayFour: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online only
Squared Away: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online only
The Telegraph: Cross Atlantic Online only
Washington Post Daily Mini Meta: by Frank Longo.
YourPuzzleSource: Daily Puzzle (Midi) by Phil Fraas.Ben’s Cryptic Crosswords: ‘X’ Joined by Ben Robinson Online only
The Crossword Centre: January 2026 Dressing Down by Hedge-sparrow by Derek Harrison .pdf only
Outside The Fox: ($) Touchwords by Grant Fikes. Subscribe at link.
Sporcle: Daily Acrostic Online onlyFinancial Times: FT Crossword .pdf only
The Guardian: Cryptic crossword No 29,891 by Maskarade.
The Hindu Cryptic: Daily Cryptic .pdf, online.
The Independent: Cryptic Crossword .pdf, online onlyCheck out the DCL’s staff recommendations from last week’s puzzles
Other American-style links:
Reviews and Discussion at Diary of a Crossword Fiend | Boatload Puzzles/AARP | “Crosscord” Discord | Crucidrama (en español) | Cruciverbalista (en español) | Easy Crossword (Newsday Archives) | FreeDailyCrosswords | Medium Crossword (Newsday Archives) | Hard Crossword (Newsday Archives) | r/crossword | USA Today Reviews and Discussion at Off the Grid | Squares.io | XWord-Muggles Meta Calendar
Other Cryptic/Variety links:
A Frame Games | cf.kmbweb.de Links Library | CoxRathvon.com | Harper’s ($) | Lovatts | Magpie ($) | Mokelfish Links Library | MyCrossword | NPL | Panda Magazine ($) | Private Eye | PuzzleCrypt archives | Puzzling StackExchange | r/crosswords | Sydney Morning Herald ($) | The Telegraph | The Times (UK) ($), includes The Listener
-
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Apple News: ($) Freestyle by Matthew Stock. News+ Subscription Required
Apple News Mini: ($) Daily Mini by Erik Agard. News+ Subscription Required
The Atlantic Mini: by Amanda Rafkin.
BEQ: Themeless Monday #857 by Brendan Emmett Quigley.
Billboard: by Adam Aaronson.
Black Crossword: Mini by Juliana Pache.
Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago-Style (Mini) Crossword by Kelsey Dixon.
Crossword Club: Daily Crossword: December 30, 2025 by Quiara Vasquez.
Crossword Flow: ($) by Ada Nicolle. iPad-exclusive app.
Daily Beast: The Hills Are Alive with The Sound of Music, Tues. Dec. 30, 2025 by Matt Gaffney.
Defector: ($) The Crossword, Dec. 29: Men Getting Hit By Football (Themeless) by Greg Snitkin and Glenn Davis. Subscribe at link.
Forever Cozart: Torn Apart by Connor Angelo Denney.
Lil AVCX: ($) and furthermore… by Alisya Reza. Subscribe at link.
LuterCross: PUZZLE 238 by Matthew Luter.
Metas On A Tuesday: Weekly Meta
Puzz-up: Happy Holidays 2025 by Laura Taylor Kinnel.
Puzzmo: Night night! by Fire Ants. Online only
Puzzmo: Mini Crossword by Brooke Husic. Online only
SFGATE California Mini Crossword: Mini Crossword by Doug Peterson. Online only.
Slate: Slate Mini: Monday, Dec. 29, 2025 by Nate Cardin.
Southern Crosswords: southern crosswords mini #81 by michael.
Trash Panda Puzzles: 164: The Fitness Creature of Switzerland (7x No. 2) by Jason “Jac” CrabtreeThe Boston Globe: Mini Crossword by Sowmya Ramkumar.
Los Angeles Times: by Susan Gelfand. Create free Cruciverb account for .puz.
Los Angeles Times Mini: by Elizabeth Gorski.
Merriam Webster: The Missing Letter by Matt Gaffney
New York Sun: ($) Initial Initialisms by Tony Orbach and Patrick Blindauer. Reissues from 2008.
New York Times: ($) by Geoffrey Schorkopf and Will Eisenberg.
New York Times Mini: by Christina Iverson.
The New Yorker: The Holiday Crossword: Tuesday, December 30, 2025 by Erik Agard.
Newsday: 12/30/25 Completes by Billie Truitt. Online .pdf
Universal: ($) Mission Accomplished by CJ Tan. Direct link to .puz.
USA Today: Outfox by Matthew Stock.
Vox: by Juliana Tringali Golden
The Wall Street Journal: Divine Comedy by Chase Dittrich. Direct link to .puz.Crosshare Community: Daily Mini and Featured Puzzles.
Crossherd: Daily Mini. Online only
Crosswordr Community: Community Puzzle Platform.
Crosswords with Friends: TV Tuesday App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Midi Puzzle App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Mini Puzzle App Store | Google Play
Daily POP Crosswords: by Janice Luttrell. App Store | Google Play, Online, phone app only
Fast Company: Daily Mini by Joe Rodini.
India Mini Crossword: Daily Mini
LunaMini: Top of the Pops 2025 (Mini crossword) by Luna. Online only
Mangesh Ghogre’s Indian Mini Crosswords: Daily Mini by Mangesh Ghogre.
The New Dork Times: New Dork Times Puzzle: Mini 178 by Cole Rush. Subscribe at link.
PlayFour: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online only
Squared Away: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online only
The Telegraph: Cross Atlantic Online only
Washington Post Daily Mini Meta: by Frank Longo.
YourPuzzleSource: Daily Puzzle (Midi) by Phil Fraas.Garden Party: ($) Rows Garden #8.52 by Michael Blake. Subscribe at link.
Garden Variety Puzzles: Rows Garden #7 by Peter Baronowski. .pdf, .rgz only
Keynesian Cryptics: Gold Rings by Jack H Keynes.
Sporcle: Daily Acrostic Online onlyFinancial Times: FT Crossword .pdf only
The Guardian: Cryptic crossword No 29,890 by Ramsay.
The Hindu Cryptic: Daily Cryptic .pdf, online.
The Independent: Cryptic Crossword .pdf, online onlyCheck out the DCL’s staff recommendations from last week’s puzzles
Other American-style links:
Reviews and Discussion at Diary of a Crossword Fiend | Boatload Puzzles/AARP | “Crosscord” Discord | Crucidrama (en español) | Cruciverbalista (en español) | Easy Crossword (Newsday Archives) | FreeDailyCrosswords | Medium Crossword (Newsday Archives) | Hard Crossword (Newsday Archives) | r/crossword | USA Today Reviews and Discussion at Off the Grid | Squares.io | XWord-Muggles Meta Calendar
Other Cryptic/Variety links:
A Frame Games | cf.kmbweb.de Links Library | CoxRathvon.com | Harper’s ($) | Lovatts | Magpie ($) | Mokelfish Links Library | MyCrossword | NPL | Panda Magazine ($) | Private Eye | PuzzleCrypt archives | Puzzling StackExchange | r/crosswords | Sydney Morning Herald ($) | The Telegraph | The Times (UK) ($), includes The Listener
-
Monday, December 29, 2025
Crosswoods: Santa Snake by Crosswoods.
Lil AVCX: ($) Front Company by Ben Wilson. Subscribe at link.
LunaMini: Mixed bag (themeless) (Mini crossword) by Luna. Online only
Monday Fills: A+ Across by Dave Murchie.
Muggle Meta Mondays: Weekly Meta
Muller Monthly Music Meta: 2025 Mega-Meta by Pete Muller, Mack Meller, and Andrew White.
The Puzzle Pit: Metal Monday #31 – Themeless by Adam Landau. .pdf, .puz only
Puzz-up: Happy Holidays 2025 by Laura Taylor Kinnel.
Southern Crosswords: southern crosswords mini #80 by michael.Apple News: ($) Animal Crackers by Catherine Cetta. News+ Subscription Required
Apple News Mini: ($) Daily Mini by Erik Agard. News+ Subscription Required
The Atlantic Mini: by Amanda Rafkin.
Billboard: Brr! by Stella Zawistowski.
Black Crossword: Mini by Juliana Pache.
Crosshare Community: Daily Mini and Featured Puzzles.
Crossherd: Daily Mini. Online only
Crossword Club: Daily Crossword: December 29, 2025 by Kelsey Dixon.
Crossword Flow: ($) Together or Apart by Sally Hoelscher. iPad-exclusive app.
Crosswordr Community: Community Puzzle Platform.
Crosswords with Friends: Movie Monday App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Midi Puzzle App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Mini Puzzle App Store | Google Play
Daily Beast: 78 and Doing Great, Mon. Dec. 29, 2025 by Matt Gaffney.
Daily POP Crosswords: by Robin Stears. App Store | Google Play, Online, phone app only
Fast Company: Don’t @ Me by Joe Rodini.
India Mini Crossword: Daily Mini
Mangesh Ghogre’s Indian Mini Crosswords: Daily Mini by Mangesh Ghogre.
Merriam Webster: The Missing Letter by Matt Gaffney
Puzzmo: Equal Portions by bob weisz. Online only
Puzzmo: Mini Crossword by Brooke Husic. Online only
Slate: Slate Mini: Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 by Kaitlin Hsu.
Vox: by Patrick Blindauer
YourPuzzleSource: Daily Puzzle (Midi) by Phil Fraas.The Boston Globe: Mini Crossword by Sowmya Ramkumar.
Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago-Style (Mini) Crossword by Kelsey Dixon.
Los Angeles Times: by Keegan Edgar. Create free Cruciverb account for .puz.
Los Angeles Times Mini: by Elizabeth Gorski.
New York Sun: ($) Text Tiles by Nancy Salomon. Reissues from 2008.
New York Times: ($) by Chase Dittrich.
New York Times Midi: by Ian Livengood.
New York Times Mini: by Joel Fagliano.
The New Yorker: 2025 in Music by Elizabeth C. Gorski.
Newsday: 12/29/25 Outdoor Seating by Doug Peterson. Online .pdf
People Puzzler: Community and Beyond by Will Eisenberg.
PlayFour: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online only
SFGATE California Mini Crossword: Mini Crossword by Kate Hawkins. Online only.
Squared Away: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online only
The Telegraph: Cross Atlantic Online only
Universal: ($) Rock Star by Kevin Christian. Direct link to .puz.
USA Today: Short Change by Mark Budovitch.
The Wall Street Journal: Sliced and Diced by Hannah Slovut-Einertson. Direct link to .puz.
Washington Post Daily Mini Meta: by Frank Longo.BEQ Marching Bands: ($) Marching Bands #11.19 by Brendan Emmett Quigley. Subscribe at link.
In Pursuit of Puzzles: Crushword Spiral #2 by Jeanne Breen.
Redhead64: PUZZLE #576: Central Scramble 8 .pdf only
Sporcle: Daily Acrostic Online only
Steve’s Cryptic Crosswords: by Steve Townsend. Online onlyFinancial Times: FT Crossword .pdf only
The Guardian: Cryptic crossword No 29,889 by Omnibus.
The Hindu Cryptic: Daily Cryptic .pdf, online.
The Independent: Cryptic Crossword .pdf, online onlyCheck out the DCL’s staff recommendations from last week’s puzzles
Other American-style links:
Reviews and Discussion at Diary of a Crossword Fiend | Boatload Puzzles/AARP | “Crosscord” Discord | Crucidrama (en español) | Cruciverbalista (en español) | Easy Crossword (Newsday Archives) | FreeDailyCrosswords | Medium Crossword (Newsday Archives) | Hard Crossword (Newsday Archives) | r/crossword | USA Today Reviews and Discussion at Off the Grid | Squares.io | XWord-Muggles Meta Calendar
Other Cryptic/Variety links:
A Frame Games | cf.kmbweb.de Links Library | CoxRathvon.com | Harper’s ($) | Lovatts | Magpie ($) | Mokelfish Links Library | MyCrossword | NPL | Panda Magazine ($) | Private Eye | PuzzleCrypt archives | Puzzling StackExchange | r/crosswords | Sydney Morning Herald ($) | The Telegraph | The Times (UK) ($), includes The Listener
-
Sunday, December 28, 2025
Happy Sunday here at Daily Crossword Links! It’s your last weekend to donate for our annual fundraiser. If you haven’t already, click here for more information. Thank you everyone who has already donated to help us continue in 2026!
Black Crossword: Mini by Juliana Pache.
Crossword Club: Daily Crossword: December 28, 2025 by Ada Nicolle.
The Hub Crossword: ($) Bake Sale by Brendan Emmett Quigley. Patreon subscription.
Jeff’s Puzzles: MMXXVI by Jeff Linder.
M & M Crosswords: Dik-Diks by Martina Waluk.
Matt Gaffney’s Weekly Crossword Contest: ($) MGWCC #917 — Saturday, December 27th, 2025 — “Crack the Code” by Mike Graczyk (Meta) by Matt Gaffney. Subscribe at Patreon.
Puzzmo: Solid Foods by Kate Hawkins. Online only
Queerty: Queerty Crossword #451 by Queerty.
Queerty: Queerty Crossword #450 by Queerty.
Queerty: Queerty Crossword #449 by Queerty.
Queerty: Queerty Crossword #448 by Queerty.
Real Puzzling Stuff: Travel Writers + Tropical Cocktails (Themeless, 12/27/25) by Ryan Patrick Smith.
Southern Crosswords: southern crosswords mini #79 by michael.
Smooth Sailing Sunday: Weekly Meta
Trash Panda Puzzles: 163: Waluigi’s Midwestern Laundromat (7x No. 1) by Jason “Jac” CrabtreeApple News: ($) Heads Up by Tom Pepper and Zhouqin Burnikel. News+ Subscription Required
Apple News Mini: ($) Daily Mini by Taylor Johnson. News+ Subscription Required
The Atlantic: by Rich Feely.
Crosshare Community: Daily Mini and Featured Puzzles.
Crossherd: Daily Mini. Online only
Crossword Flow: ($) by Aidan Deshong. iPad-exclusive app.
Crosswordr Community: Community Puzzle Platform.
Crosswords with Friends: Sunday Funday App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Midi Puzzle App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Mini Puzzle App Store | Google Play
Daily Beast: Lay It All on the Table, Sun. Dec. 28, 2025 by Matt Gaffney.
Daily POP Crosswords: by Patti Varol. App Store | Google Play, Online, phone app only
India Mini Crossword: Daily Mini
Mangesh Ghogre’s Indian Mini Crosswords: Daily Mini by Mangesh Ghogre.
Merriam Webster: The Missing Letter by Matt Gaffney
Premier Crossword: by Frank Longo. .pdf, online only
Puzzmo: Mini Crossword by Brooke Husic. Online only
Slate: Slate Mini: Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025 by Kavin Pawittranon.
Sporcle: Lost Count by Grinchy. Online only
YourPuzzleSource: Weekly 15×15 by Phil Fraas.The Boston Globe: Mini Crossword by Sowmya Ramkumar.
Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago-Style (Mini) Crossword by Kelsey Dixon.
Los Angeles Times: WHAT’S THE MATTER by Zhouqin Burnikel. Create free Cruciverb account for .puz.
Los Angeles Times Mini: by Elizabeth Gorski.
Merl Reagle Archives: December 28, 2025 – Food Naming: A Report Card by Merl Reagle.
New York Sun: ($) Salivation Army by Gary Disch. Reissues from 2008.
New York Times: ($) Off Broadway Musicals by Alex Eaton-Salners.
New York Times Mini: by Joel Fagliano.
Newsday: 12/28/25 COVERING THE ISSUES: New Ones Out Regularly by Gary M. Larson. Online .pdf
PlayFour: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online only
Squared Away: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online only
The Telegraph: Cross Atlantic Online only
TV Crossword: Weekly Puzzle. .pdf, online only
Universal: ($) Themeless Sunday 165 by Willa Angel Chen Miller. Direct link to .puz.
Universal Sunday: Double-Booking by Sam Brody. Direct link to .puz.
USA Today: Leftovers by Sally Hoelscher.
Washington Post: Countdown by Evan Birnholz. Direct link to .puz.In Pursuit of Puzzles: Crushword Spiral #2 by Jeanne Breen.
Sporcle: Daily Acrostic Online only
Stay Golden Puzzles: ($) Rows Garden by Juliana Tringali Golden. Purchase at link.Azed Cryptic: Cryptic
Everyman Cryptic: Cryptic
Financial Times: FT Crossword .pdf only
The Hindu Cryptic: ($) The Hindu Cryptic on Sunday .pdf, online.
The Independent: Cryptic Crossword .pdf, online only
New York Times Variety: ($) Acrostic by David Balton and Jane Stewart.Check out the DCL’s staff recommendations from last week’s puzzles
Other American-style links:
Reviews and Discussion at Diary of a Crossword Fiend | Boatload Puzzles/AARP | “Crosscord” Discord | Crucidrama (en español) | Cruciverbalista (en español) | Easy Crossword (Newsday Archives) | FreeDailyCrosswords | Medium Crossword (Newsday Archives) | Hard Crossword (Newsday Archives) | r/crossword | USA Today Reviews and Discussion at Off the Grid | Squares.io | XWord-Muggles Meta Calendar
Other Cryptic/Variety links:
A Frame Games | cf.kmbweb.de Links Library | CoxRathvon.com | Harper’s ($) | Lovatts | Magpie ($) | Mokelfish Links Library | MyCrossword | NPL | Panda Magazine ($) | Private Eye | PuzzleCrypt archives | Puzzling StackExchange | r/crosswords | Sydney Morning Herald ($) | The Telegraph | The Times (UK) ($), includes The Listener
-
Saturday, December 27, 2025
Happy Saturday here at Daily Crossword Links! It’s your last weekend to donate for our annual fundraiser. If you haven’t already, click here for more information. Thank you everyone who has already donated to help us continue in 2026!
Black Crossword: Mini by Juliana Pache.
Club 72: Freestyle 1075: “You’re out of your mind!” by Tim Croce. .pdf, .puz only
Crossword Club: Daily Crossword by Ada Nicolle.
David Alfred Bywaters: Off Color by David Alfred Bywaters.
lost for xwords: #141 – Uncanny Valley Girl (Themeless) by August Miller.
The New Dork Times: Mini 177 by Cole Rush. Subscribe at link.
Pun Of A Kind: Down for the Count by Mikey G.
Puzzmo: Macros and Micros by emet. Online only
Puzzmo: Mini Crossword by Brooke Husic. Online only
Queerty: Queerty Crossword #447 by Queerty.
Queerty: Queerty Crossword #446 by Queerty.
Reason: Not Urgent by Stella Zawistowski.
Southern Crosswords: Mini #78 by michael.
Spyscape: The Shopping List by Bryant White.Apple News: ($) Freestyle by Kate Chin Park. News+ Subscription Required
Apple News Mini: ($) Daily Mini by Taylor Johnson. News+ Subscription Required
Crosshare Community: Daily Mini and Featured Puzzles.
Crossherd: Daily Mini. Online only
Crossword Flow: ($) by Rafael Musa. iPad-exclusive app.
Crosswordr Community: Community Puzzle Platform.
Crosswords with Friends: Smartypants Saturday App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Midi Puzzle App Store | Google Play
Crosswords with Friends: Mini Puzzle App Store | Google Play
The Daily Pennsylvanian: Daily Puzzle
Daily POP Crosswords: by Angela Kinsella Olson. App Store | Google Play, Online, phone app only
India Mini Crossword: Daily Mini
Mangesh Ghogre’s Indian Mini Crosswords: Daily Mini by Mangesh Ghogre.
Merriam Webster: The Missing Letter by Matt Gaffney
Morning Brew: Fresh Start by Jack Murtagh.
Vox: That’s Funny by Will Nediger.
The Walrus: Gifts and Goodwill by Emma Lawson.The Boston Globe: Mini Crossword by Sowmya Ramkumar.
Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago-Style (Mini) Crossword by Kelsey Dixon.
Los Angeles Times: by August Miller. Create free Cruciverb account for .puz.
Los Angeles Times Mini: by Elizabeth Gorski.
New York Magazine: Here’s the Funny Part by Matt Gaffney.
New York Sun: ($) Return of the Indivisibles by Pete Muller. Reissues from 2008.
New York Times: ($) by Katie Hoody.
New York Times Mini: by Joel Fagliano.
Newsday: Saturday Stumper by Rafael Musa. Online .pdf
PlayFour: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online only
Squared Away: ($) Daily Puzzle. Online only
The Telegraph: Cross Atlantic Online only
Universal: ($) Freestyle 204 by Hoang-Kim Vu. Direct link to .puz.
USA Today: Principles of Kwanzaa by Erik Agard.
The Wall Street Journal: Double Reverse by Paul Coulter. Direct link to .puz.
Washington Post Daily Mini Meta: by Frank Longo.Sporcle: Daily Acrostic Online only
Tortoiseshell Studio: ($) Snowflake by Nathan Curtis. Patreon subscription.Financial Times: FT Crossword .pdf only
Financial Times: FT Crossword: Polymath .pdf only
Financial Times: FT Weekend Magazine Crossword .pdf only
Gemelo Cryptic: Cryptic
The Hindu Cryptic: Daily Cryptic .pdf, online.
The Independent: Cryptic Crossword .pdf, online only
WSJ Variety: Acrostic by Mike Shenk. Direct link to .pdf.Check out the DCL’s staff recommendations from last week’s puzzles
Other American-style links:
Reviews and Discussion at Diary of a Crossword Fiend | Boatload Puzzles/AARP | “Crosscord” Discord | Crucidrama (en español) | Cruciverbalista (en español) | Easy Crossword (Newsday Archives) | FreeDailyCrosswords | Medium Crossword (Newsday Archives) | Hard Crossword (Newsday Archives) | r/crossword | USA Today Reviews and Discussion at Off the Grid | Squares.io | XWord-Muggles Meta Calendar
Other Cryptic/Variety links:
A Frame Games | cf.kmbweb.de Links Library | CoxRathvon.com | Harper’s ($) | Lovatts | Magpie ($) | Mokelfish Links Library | MyCrossword | NPL | Panda Magazine ($) | Private Eye | PuzzleCrypt archives | Puzzling StackExchange | r/crosswords | Sydney Morning Herald ($) | The Telegraph | The Times (UK) ($), includes The Listener