Codeword Glossary
Key terms and definitions for codeword, code cracker, and coded crossword puzzles.
Codeword
A crossword puzzle where each letter has been replaced by a number (1–26). The same number always represents the same letter throughout the puzzle.
Code Cracker
Similar to a codeword, but usually smaller and with 3–4 starter letters already revealed. Popular in UK newspapers and puzzle magazines.
Coded Crossword
Another name for codeword or code cracker. The terms are often used interchangeably in UK puzzle books and newspapers.
Pattern
The representation of a word in a codeword solver: letters for known positions, numbers for repeated unknowns, and wildcards (?, ., _, *) for unknown positions.
Number Code
A number (1–26) used in a codeword grid to represent an unknown letter. The same number always maps to the same letter throughout the puzzle.
Wildcard
A symbol (? . _ *) representing any single unknown letter in a pattern. All four symbols work identically in the Codeword Solver.
Repeated Code
When the same number appears more than once in a word, all those positions must contain the same letter. E.g. 112.2 — codes 1 and 2 each repeat.
Strict Mode
A solver setting that forces different number codes to map to different letters. Useful when you know two adjacent codes cannot share a letter.
UK Dictionary
A word list containing British English spellings: colour, honour, centre, theatre, travelling, organised, and similar variants.
Common UK Words
The default dictionary — a curated list of everyday British English words most likely to appear in newspaper codewords.
Full UK Dictionary
An expanded word list that includes less common British words, regional terms, and specialist vocabulary.
Excluded Letters
Letters you can specify in Advanced Options to filter out any results that contain those letters. Useful when you've ruled out certain letters from crossing words.
Known Letters
Number-to-letter mappings you've already solved: e.g. 3=e, 5=t. Entering these in Advanced Options narrows results to only matching words.
Commonness
A measure of how frequently a word appears in English text. The solver ranks results with more common words first.
Crossing Word
A word in the codeword grid that shares one or more letters with another word. Confirmed letters from crossing words help narrow down remaining answers.
Letter Frequency
The statistical frequency of each letter in English text. E is the most common, followed by T, A, O, I, N, S, R. Useful for guessing which numbers represent which letters.
Starter Letters
The 2–4 letters given at the start of a code cracker puzzle. These letters are revealed to help you begin solving the number-to-letter mappings.
Grid Mapping
The process of tracking all 26 number-to-letter assignments while solving a codeword puzzle. The Codeword Grid Solver provides a digital assistant for this.
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