Crossword Clues by Letter Count
Browse our collection of crossword clues organized by answer length
Browse Crossword Clues by Answer Length
Crossword answers come in various lengths, from 3-letter staples to longer theme entries. Knowing the length of an answer can significantly narrow down the possibilities when solving a puzzle.
Our database organizes crossword clues by answer length, making it easier to find solutions when you know how many letters you need. Click on any length below to explore all the clues with that number of letters.
3-Letter Words
The workhorses of crossword puzzles, 3-letter words frequently appear as connector entries in grids.
Common examples:
- ERA - Baseball stat or time period
- SEA - Large body of water
- ONE - First number
4-Letter Words
Common in all puzzles, 4-letter words balance accessibility with interesting vocabulary.
Common examples:
- OREO - Popular sandwich cookie
- AREA - Space or region
- EDEN - Biblical garden
5-Letter Words
The sweet spot of crosswords - long enough to be interesting, short enough to be accessible.
Common examples:
- STARE - Look intently
- PIANO - Musical instrument
- ARENA - Sports venue
All Answer Lengths
| Length | Number of Clues | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|
0 Letters | 4 clues | = | View All → |
2 Letters | 2 clues | math constant = PI | View All → |
3 Letters | 21 clues | common suffix = ISM | View All → |
4 Letters | 47 clues | african country = MALI | View All → |
5 Letters | 23 clues | ancient greek marketplace = AGORA | View All → |
6 Letters | 5 clues | biblical promised land = CANAAN | View All → |
7 Letters | 2 clues | astronomical event = ECLIPSE | View All → |
Answer Length Characteristics
Short Answers (3-4 Letters)
Short 3-4 letter answers are the building blocks of most crossword puzzles. They often function as connective tissue between longer theme entries and usually have multiple potential clues. Constructors rely on these short entries to create clean grid patterns, and they frequently reuse common short answers like ERA, ORE, AREA, and OREO.
Medium Answers (5-7 Letters)
Medium-length answers (5-7 letters) provide the meat of most crossword puzzles. These entries offer more interesting vocabulary while still being common enough to be accessible to most solvers. They often include everyday words, common phrases, and versatile terms that can be clued in various ways.
Long Answers (8+ Letters)
Long answers (8 letters or more) typically serve as featured entries or theme answers in crossword puzzles. They often include phrases, compound words, or specialized vocabulary that adds interest and challenge to the puzzle. The longer the answer, the more likely it is to be a central theme entry that the constructor built the puzzle around.
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