The 5 Best Newspaper Crosswords You Can Play Online

Newspaper crosswords have long offered readers a delightful blend of intellectual challenge and entertainment. American constructors have made significant contributions to the evolution of this puzzle form. Here, we celebrate the ingenuity and creativity of these constructors by highlighting the top 5 newspaper crosswords that you can add to your routine. Each puzzle not only tests your vocabulary and trivia knowledge but also reflects the unique style and wit of its editor.

Editor: Will Shortz
Frequency: Daily
Price: $40 per year

Renowned for its sophistication and wordplay, The New York Times Crossword is arguably the gold standard in the world of puzzles. Under the editorship of Will Shortz since 1993, these crosswords are known for their clever themes, challenging clues, and cultural relevance. The Sunday edition, in particular, is a crowd favorite, offering a larger and more intricate puzzle that serves as a highlight for enthusiasts each week.

Editor: Patti Varol
Frequency: Daily
Pricing: Free

The Los Angeles Times newspaper crossword, under the editorship of Patti Varol, is celebrated for its thematic consistency and cultural diversity. Varol’s puzzles are designed to be more approachable, making them ideal for a broader audience. His style is a blend of traditional crossword conventions and innovative themes, often drawing from current events and pop culture.

Constructors: Evan Birnholz, Frank Longo
Frequency: Daily/Weekly
Pricing: Free

The Washington Post publishes two types of crosswords: the daily Mini Meta puzzle by Frank Longo, and the Sunday crossword by Evan Birnholz. Each mini crossword from Monday to Friday must be solved in order to get one word of a five-word clue. The clue itself leads to a word hidden in the sixth mini-crossword, which you must find by snaking your way through the grid, like in a word search puzzle.

The Sunday puzzles often include contemporary themes and are known for their smooth grid designs and creative wordplay.

Constructors: Mike Shenk
Frequency: Daily
Pricing: Free

Mike Shenk, known for his pseudonymous creations, has been a significant figure in The Wall Street Journal’s newspaper crossword history. His puzzles are characterized by their business and finance-themed clues, reflecting the newspaper’s focus. Shenk’s work is appreciated for its meticulous construction and the balance of straightforward and cryptic clues.

Editor: Liz Maynes Aminzade
Frequency: Daily
Pricing: Free

The New Yorker has a range of all-star constructors building crosswords for the publication. Edited by Liz Maybes Aminzade, the crossword gets easier every day of the week. Starting with the most challenging puzzle on Mondays, and the puzzle gets easiest on Thursdays. Fridays are for themed puzzles, which are often highly creative and incorporate delightful reveals at the end.