Free Crossword Templates for Word: 6 Easy Printables
Choose your paper size, preview every grid, then download your Word templates in one small ZIP file.
Made by a teacherA4 and US Letter6 Word documentsFree
These free crossword templates give you 6 blank crossword grids as Word documents on A4 and US Letter, in 10 x 10, 13 x 13 and 15 x 15 sizes, with Across and Down clue lines underneath. I’m Patrick Elliott, a teacher and Inclusion Lead. I make crosswords for spelling and topic vocabulary every term, so these grids are set up to make that as quick as possible.
In this guide, you’ll find how to make your own crossword in Word in a few minutes, which grid size to choose, and how to make an answer key.
What’s in the Crossword Templates
| Paper | Version | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| A4 | Blank 10 x 10 | Make your own crossword, quick and easy |
| A4 | Blank 13 x 13 | The classic crossword size |
| A4 | Blank 15 x 15 | Bigger puzzles with more words |
| US Letter | Blank 10 x 10 | Make your own crossword, quick and easy |
| US Letter | Blank 13 x 13 | The classic crossword size |
| US Letter | Blank 15 x 15 | Bigger puzzles with more words |
👉 Every square is ready for a clue number: click a square, type 1, and it appears small in the top-left corner, just like a printed crossword.
How to Make a Crossword in Word
- Plan your words on scrap paper so they cross each other, then pick the grid size that fits.
- Click the first square of each answer and type its number: 1, 2, 3 and so on, working left to right and top to bottom.
- Select the squares you do not need. Hold Ctrl to select several, then go to Table Design > Shading and choose black.
- Press F4 to repeat the shading on the next square, which makes the black squares quick to do.
- Type your clues on the Across and Down lines, with the number and the answer length, for example 1. You cut paper with these (8).
- Print one copy for each pupil, and write the answers on one copy to keep as your answer key.
Which Crossword Size Should You Use?
- 10 x 10: 6 to 8 words, perfect for spelling lists and younger children.
- 13 x 13: the classic size, 10 to 15 words for topic vocabulary.
- 15 x 15: the size of a newspaper crossword, for longer puzzles and older pupils.
How to Print at the Right Size
Print the grid at 100% so the squares stay square and big enough to write in. Make one copy into your answer key before you hand them out.
FAQs
How many words should a crossword have?
6 to 8 words on a 10 x 10 grid, and 10 to 15 words on a 13 x 13 or 15 x 15 grid.
Who made these crossword templates?
Patrick Elliott, a teacher and Inclusion Lead, designed and built every grid by hand in Microsoft Word.
How do I make the black squares?
Select the squares, go to Table Design > Shading and choose black. Press F4 to repeat it on other squares.
How do I add clue numbers?
Click a square and type the number. The squares are already set up so the number appears small in the top-left corner.
How do I make an answer key?
Print one copy and write the answers in by hand, or save a copy of the file and type the answers into the squares.
Why is the grid cut off when I print?
Print at 100% or Actual size on the paper size in the file name, not Fit to page.
Conclusion
These crossword templates make it quick to turn any word list into a puzzle, human-made by a teacher and ready to fill in from Word.
Choose your paper size above, download the ZIP, and for another puzzle try the word search templates.
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