Word Connect: a crossword you solve with a swipe
Word Connect combines two of the most loved word puzzles: an anagram and a crossword. At the bottom of the screen is a wheel of letters. Swipe across them to spell a word, and if that word belongs to the crossword above, it drops into place. Fill the whole crossword to finish the level.
It is a relaxing way to exercise your vocabulary. There is no timer and no pressure, just you, a handful of letters and the satisfying moment when a word you had not seen suddenly appears. Levels start with three letters and grow to seven, so the game stays fresh for a long time.
How to play
- Swipe the letters. Press on a letter and slide across the others in order, then let go. Slide back to undo the last letter.
- Fill the crossword. Each correct word fills its row or column, with a little pop for every letter.
- Find bonus words. Real words that are not in the crossword still count, as bonus words.
- Use the tools. Shuffle rearranges the wheel, and Hint reveals one letter of the crossword.
On a computer you can also type the letters and press Enter.
Tips from experienced players
Hunt for the long word first. One word always uses every letter on the wheel. It is usually the longest row in the crossword, and it gives you crossing letters for everything else.
Think in endings. English words often end in the same few patterns: -ED, -ER, -ING, -S. If those letters are on the wheel, try them at the end of shorter words.
Read the grid. The crossword shows how long every missing word is. A three-box gap with a revealed middle letter narrows the options a lot.
Shuffle when stuck. When the letters sit in the same places, your brain keeps reading the same false words. A shuffle resets that.
Why word puzzles are good for you
Word games like this one are a gentle workout for vocabulary, spelling and the ability to see patterns. Anagram puzzles ask you to hold letters in mind and try combinations, which is a skill called working memory. For children, finding words from a set of letters is a playful way to practise spelling; for adults it is a calm daily habit, like a crossword with the morning coffee.
Clean, family-friendly word lists
Every level in our Word Connect has been cleaned. We keep only words that are in a standard English dictionary and are also among the most common words people actually use, and we remove anything rude. That means no obscure abbreviations or names, and nothing you would not want a child to see.
More word games
Try a Word Search with 25 themes, or guess the secret word in Hangman. If you like fitting things into grids, Block Puzzle and Cat Sudoku are great next steps.
How to play Word Connect
- Swipe across the letters on the wheel to spell a word, then let go. You can also tap letters or type on a keyboard.
- Every word hidden in the crossword fills its row or column when you find it.
- Other real words made from the same letters count as bonus words.
- Find every word in the crossword to finish the level. Levels get longer and harder as you go.
Word Connect tips
Start with the longest word
One word always uses every letter on the wheel. Finding it early fills the longest row and gives you letters for the crossing words.
Use the crossword as a clue
The empty boxes tell you how long each missing word is, and revealed letters show where they cross.
Shuffle to see new words
Moving the letters around the wheel breaks the patterns your eyes are stuck on. It is often enough to spot the last word.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play Word Connect?
Swipe your finger or mouse across the letters on the wheel to form a word, then release. If the word is in the crossword it fills in; if it is another real word, it counts as a bonus word.
How many levels are there?
More than 1,800, ordered from three-letter wheels to seven-letter wheels. Your level is saved on your device, so you can continue any time.
Are the words suitable for children?
Yes. Every word is checked against a dictionary and a list of common English words, and rude words are removed, so the game is family-friendly.
What do hints do?
A hint reveals one letter in the crossword. Hints are free and unlimited; the end screen simply shows how many you used.
