Free crossword puzzle maker
Type your words and clues and get a numbered, printable crossword with its answer key — or play it online and check your answers. Switch to word scramble mode for an unscramble worksheet from the same list. Free, no sign-up, and your words stay in your browser.
Ocean Animals Crossword
NameDate
Across
- 1 Has eight arms and three hearts (7)
- 4 Largest animal that has ever lived (5)
- 7 Reptile that nests on sandy beaches (6)
- 8 Smart sea mammal that clicks and whistles (7)
- 9 Five-armed animal on the sea floor (8)
- 11 Red shellfish with big claws (7)
- 12 Walks sideways on the shore (4)
Down
- 2 Fish with rows of sharp teeth (5)
- 3 See-through animal that can sting (9)
- 5 Squirts ink to escape (5)
- 6 Fish whose father carries the eggs (8)
- 10 Tiny animals that build reefs (5)
- EAHWLLargest animal that has ever lived
- DHILPONSmart sea mammal that clicks and whistles
- RKSHAFish with rows of sharp teeth
- OPSUTOCHas eight arms and three hearts
- SYILFHJELSee-through animal that can sting
- HSTASFRIFive-armed animal on the sea floor
- ARHSSOEEFish whose father carries the eggs
- ULERTTReptile that nests on sandy beaches
- BARCWalks sideways on the shore
- BTLRSEORed shellfish with big claws
- UIDSQSquirts ink to escape
- LCORATiny animals that build reefs
Word bank
- CORAL
- CRAB
- DOLPHIN
- JELLYFISH
- LOBSTER
- OCTOPUS
- SEAHORSE
- SHARK
- SQUID
- STARFISH
- TURTLE
- WHALE
Ocean Animals Crossword — Answer key
Across
- 1 Has eight arms and three hearts (7) OCTOPUS
- 4 Largest animal that has ever lived (5) WHALE
- 7 Reptile that nests on sandy beaches (6) TURTLE
- 8 Smart sea mammal that clicks and whistles (7) DOLPHIN
- 9 Five-armed animal on the sea floor (8) STARFISH
- 11 Red shellfish with big claws (7) LOBSTER
- 12 Walks sideways on the shore (4) CRAB
Down
- 2 Fish with rows of sharp teeth (5) SHARK
- 3 See-through animal that can sting (9) JELLYFISH
- 5 Squirts ink to escape (5) SQUID
- 6 Fish whose father carries the eggs (8) SEAHORSE
- 10 Tiny animals that build reefs (5) CORAL
- EAHWLWHALELargest animal that has ever lived
- DHILPONDOLPHINSmart sea mammal that clicks and whistles
- RKSHASHARKFish with rows of sharp teeth
- OPSUTOCOCTOPUSHas eight arms and three hearts
- SYILFHJELJELLYFISHSee-through animal that can sting
- HSTASFRISTARFISHFive-armed animal on the sea floor
- ARHSSOEESEAHORSEFish whose father carries the eggs
- ULERTTTURTLEReptile that nests on sandy beaches
- BARCCRABWalks sideways on the shore
- BTLRSEOLOBSTERRed shellfish with big claws
- UIDSQSQUIDSquirts ink to escape
- LCORACORALTiny animals that build reefs
More options: word bank, hints, layout
11 × 15 grid · 12 words
What is a crossword puzzle maker?
A crossword puzzle maker turns a list of answers and clues into a crossword grid. It connects each word to the others where they share a letter, numbers the starting squares, and writes the Across and Down clue lists. Teachers use crosswords for vocabulary and spelling review, parents for screen-free fun, and hosts for baby shower, wedding and holiday games.
CrosswordNest builds free-form crosswords: it places the longest words first, tries dozens of arrangements and keeps the one with the most crossings and the most compact, balanced shape. Two letters only touch when they belong to the same word, so every row and column reads correctly, and words that cannot connect are listed so you can swap them.
How to make a crossword puzzle
- Type your words and clues. Enter a title, then one answer per line followed by a dash and its clue, like "Whale - Largest animal on Earth". Up to 40 words.
- Let the maker build the grid. Every word is connected to the others, the squares are numbered and the Across and Down clue lists are written for you. Click New layout for another arrangement.
- Choose the options. Add a word bank, show or hide letter counts, or switch to Word scramble mode to turn the same list into an unscramble worksheet.
- Print, save or play. Click Print / Save PDF for the puzzle on page 1 and the answer key on page 2, download a PNG, or click Play online and Check answers.
Crossword or word scramble?
| Feature | Crossword | Word scramble |
|---|---|---|
| Solver sees | Numbered grid and clues | Jumbled letters, optional clue |
| Practises | Meaning → word, spelling | Spelling and letter patterns |
| Time | About 1 minute per word | About 20 seconds per word |
| Best for | Vocabulary review, puzzles for adults | Warm-ups, young kids, party games |
Both print with the answer key on page 2, and you can switch between them with one click. Ideas in word scramble ideas.
Free printable crosswords
No time to write clues? Print one of 33 ready-made crosswords for holidays, school subjects and grade levels, each with original clues and an answer key.
- Halloween12 clues · Ages 7+
- Christmas13 clues · Ages 7+
- Thanksgiving12 clues · Ages 7+
- Solar System13 clues · Grades 3–6
- Animals12 clues · Ages 6–10
- Adult12 clues · Adults
- 3rd Grade12 clues · Ages 8–9
- Baby Shower12 clues · Adults
Browse all printable crosswords → · Printable word scrambles →
Crossword makers for every purpose
- Crossword maker for kidsWord bank on for ages 5–7 · 8–12 short words
- Crossword maker for teachersPaste "term - definition" lists · Answer key prints on page 2
- Crossword maker for namesClue = a fact about the person · Two-word names are fine
- Spelling words crosswordThe grid catches misspellings · Word bank on for grades 1–2
- Crossword with word bankAlphabetical bank under the clues · Shown automatically if clues are missing
- Vocabulary crossword (ESL)Clue in L1, answer in English · Accents are handled for you
- Wedding crossword10–14 answers about the couple · Mix easy and insider clues
- Word scramble makerNever leaves a word unchanged · First-letter hint for beginners
- Word scramble for kidsFirst letter kept as a hint · Word bank on for beginners
Guides
- How to make a crossword puzzleA crossword looks complicated, but every one is built in the same five steps.
- How to write good crossword cluesThe grid is the easy part — a generator builds it in a second.
- Crossword puzzles in the classroomA crossword is more than a time filler.
- Word scramble ideas for classrooms and partiesA word scramble takes two minutes to make and five to solve, which is exactly why teachers and party hosts love it.
- Crossword puzzles for kids: a guide by ageA crossword that is pitched right teaches spelling, reading and vocabulary while feeling like a game.
- How to solve crossword puzzles: tips for beginnersCrossword solvers are not walking dictionaries.
Frequently asked questions
Is this crossword maker really free?
Yes. Making, printing, saving as PDF, downloading PNG images and playing online are all free, with no account, no watermark and no limit on how many puzzles you make.
How do I enter words and clues?
Put one word per line, followed by a dash and the clue, for example "Whale - Largest animal on Earth". A colon, equals sign, tab or comma also works. Words without a clue appear in a word bank.
How many words can a crossword have?
Up to 40 words, each up to 25 letters. Ten to twenty words is the best size for one printed page. The grid grows to fit, up to 25 squares wide and tall.
Why was one of my words left out?
Every word in a crossword must cross another word, so a word needs at least one letter in common with the rest of the list and a free spot where it fits. The maker tells you which words could not be connected; click New layout or add a word that shares letters with them.
How do I print the crossword with the answer key?
Click Print / Save PDF. Page 1 is the puzzle with numbered squares and the Across and Down clues; page 2 is the answer key with every square filled in. Choose "Save as PDF" in the print dialog to keep a file.
Can students solve the crossword online?
Yes. Click Play online to type into the grid, then Check to mark wrong letters in red. Copy link creates a web address that contains the whole puzzle, so students open exactly the same crossword.
What is the word scramble mode?
It turns the same word list into a word scramble worksheet: each word's letters are shuffled, with an answer line, the optional clue underneath and an answer key on page 2.
Are my words uploaded anywhere?
No. Puzzles are generated in your browser. When you copy a link, the words are stored after the # in the address, which browsers never send to the server.