Join the waitlist

browser extension · free to try · hints, not spoilers

Stuck on a cryptic clue? See how it works.

A hint, then another, then the answer if you want it. Cryptic Inkling is a browser extension that opens in a side panel beside the crossword you're already doing. Pick the clue you're stuck on and it walks you through it, so you can crack it yourself.

Join the waitlist See the demo

Chrome extension · coming soon

Other browsers to follow.

our own example clue, step by step

See it beside a crossword

Step 1 of 10 You're doing the crossword on a newspaper's website, and you're stuck on 3 across: Motor with favourite floor covering (6).

    no searching, no spoiler-filled blogs

    How it works

    Help comes right where you're solving, in three steps.

    1. 1 Step 1 · open it

      Open it beside your crossword

      On a crossword page, click the Cryptic Inkling icon in your browser toolbar. A side panel opens and lists the clues it finds there.

    2. 2 Step 2 · pick a clue

      Pick the clue you're stuck on

      Add any letters you already have if you like. If a clue isn't listed, select it on the page or paste it in.

    3. 3 Step 3 · take a hint

      Take one hint at a time

      A short animation shows each step. Stop as soon as it clicks.

    one clue, a few hints, no jargon

    Hints, not spoilers

    Each hint takes you one step further, and you decide how far to go. Here's one worked through: Motor with favourite floor covering (6).

    1. 1
      Hint 1 · the definition

      Which end is the definition? Here it's "floor covering".

    2. 2
      Hint 2 · the clue type

      What kind of clue is it? "With" is a link word, so it's a charade: parts placed side by side.

    3. 3
      Hint 3 · the pieces

      What are the parts? "Motor" gives CAR and "favourite" gives PET.

    4. 4
      Hint 4 · the build

      How do they fit? Stick them together in order: CAR + PET.

    5. The answer · only if you ask

      CAR + PET = CARPET. Only shown when you ask for it.

    the small print, in big letters

    Good to know

    • checked twice

      It tells you when it's unsure

      Hints are drafted by AI, then checked letter by letter, and a second, independent solve checks the answer. It tells you how sure it is. If it can't find an answer it would stand behind, it says so instead of guessing, and you're not charged.

    • your page stays yours

      It keeps your browsing private

      The page is read in your browser. Only the clue you pick is sent to be solved, with its length and any letters you've typed. We never see which site you're on or what else is on the page.

    • fair for everyone

      Prize puzzles are off limits

      If a puzzle looks like a prize crossword, it won't give hints for it.

    • made by a solver

      Independent

      It's a tool for solvers. We're not affiliated with any newspaper or puzzle publisher.

    be first in the queue

    Join the waitlist

    We're building it now. Join the list and we'll email you when there's something to try, with early-access spots for the first people on the list.

    The plan is a few free clues to try it, then a small subscription for regular solvers. Tell us whether that would suit you. It really helps.

    Just your email. Two optional questions after, if you like.

    We'll only use your email to tell you about Cryptic Inkling, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

    the ones people ask first

    Questions

    Which crossword sites will it work on?

    Most crossword pages that show their clues as text. If it can't read a page, you can select a clue and right-click it, or paste it into the panel. Any publisher can ask us to switch it off for their site, and we will.

    Isn't that cheating?

    It's up to you how much help you take. Most people only need the first hint, which shows where the definition is. The idea is that you learn the tricks setters use, so you need it less over time.

    How accurate is it?

    Every explanation is checked letter by letter, and a second, independent solve checks the answer. Cryptics are hard, though, so it won't always be right. It tells you how sure it is, and when it can't find an answer it would stand behind, it says so and you're not charged. If an answer looks wrong once you've seen it, a button lets you tell us.

    What will it cost?

    There'll be a few free clues so you can try it properly. After that we're planning a small monthly or yearly subscription. The waitlist answers will help us set the price.

    What do you do with my data?

    The extension reads the page in your browser, and only the clue you pick is sent to us. For the waitlist, we keep your email, your answers and where you came from, and use them only for Cryptic Inkling. Ask and we'll delete them. Our emails are sent by Kit, and every one has an unsubscribe link. We count visits to this page with Umami, which uses no cookies. The full details are in our privacy policy.