Short, practical guides to the puzzles and games our tools help with: how they work, how to get better at them, and worked examples you can try straight away. Each guide links to the tool that goes with it.
How to unscramble words
How to unscramble words by hand: seven simple methods, from spotting endings to writing letters in a circle, with worked examples and a free unscrambler.
How to solve anagrams
Learn how to solve anagrams of words and phrases: what an anagram is, five techniques that work, worked examples and how to check your answer.
What is a Jumble puzzle, and how do you solve one?
What is a jumble puzzle and how do you solve one? The rules, step-by-step tips for the scrambled words and the final pun, and worked examples.
Scrabble tips: how to score more points
Twelve Scrabble tips to score more: two-letter words, Q without U, bonus squares, hooks, rack balance and 50-point bingos, with worked examples.
Wordle tips for five-letter word puzzles
Wordle tips that work: good starting words, using greens, yellows and greys, double letters, hard mode and how to use a word finder when stuck.
Spelling Bee tips: find the pangram and score more
Spelling Bee tips for the honeycomb puzzle: the rules and scoring, how to find the pangram, word-building tricks and how to get further each day.
Countdown numbers game: rules and tips
The Countdown numbers game explained: the rules, how scoring works, methods that reach the target, worked examples and tips for the letters round.
What is a syllable, and how do you count them?
What is a syllable? A clear definition with examples, the six syllable types, simple rules and tricks for counting syllables, and a free counter.
Crossword tips: how to solve more crosswords
Twelve crossword tips for beginners and regular solvers: where to start, reading clues, tenses and plurals, abbreviations, crossing letters and getting unstuck.
How to solve cryptic crosswords
How to solve cryptic crosswords: how a clue is built, the ten main clue types with original examples, indicator words, and tips for your first grid.
Cryptic crossword abbreviations
A list of common cryptic crossword abbreviations, from sailor = AB to quiet = P, grouped by topic, plus Roman numerals, notes and setters’ in-jokes.
Hard hangman words, and why short words win
Hard hangman words that beat most players, chosen with real data from our hangman computer, plus why short words are hardest and how to win at hangman.
Word ladder puzzle: how to play and solve
How a word ladder puzzle works, Lewis Carroll’s original Doublets, tips for solving ladders quickly, examples with answers and ideas for classrooms.
How to learn Morse code
How to learn Morse code by sound, not by sight: the Koch and Farnsworth methods, a daily practice plan, memory tricks and free tools to practise with.
Types of ciphers, and how to decode them
The main types of ciphers explained with examples: Caesar, ROT13, Atbash, substitution, Vigenère, transposition and pigpen, plus how to decode a cipher.
How to solve cryptograms
How to solve cryptograms, Cryptoquips and codewords: what a cryptogram is, where to start, letter patterns and frequencies, and a full worked example.