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Cryptogram
Today's puzzleA quotation from Ralph Waldo Emerson
Letters you've used
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There's a new daily Cryptogram every day at midnight.
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A famous quotation in code: every letter stands for another. Work out which, with two letters given. Free, with no sign-up.
Also try: Mini Crossword · Word Search · Sudoku
How to play Cryptogram
A cryptogram is a quotation written in code. Every letter has been swapped for a different one, and the swap is the same all the way through: if Q stands for T in one word, it stands for T in every word. Your job is to work out which letter each code letter stands for.
- Two letters are given to start you off. They're filled in already, everywhere they appear.
- Tap a square and type the letter you think it stands for. Your letter appears in every square with the same code letter.
- Each real letter can stand for only one code letter. If you type a letter you've already used, it moves to the new square.
- Check marks any wrong letters in red. Reveal letter fills in the square you're on. Undo takes back any change.
- When every letter is right, the whole quotation and where it comes from are shown.
Tips
- A one-letter word is almost always A or I.
- The commonest three-letter words are THE and AND. A word ending in an apostrophe and one letter often ends in 'S or 'T.
- E, T, A, O and N are the commonest letters in English. A code letter that appears many times is likely to be one of them.
- The strip of letters under the puzzle shows which letters you've already used.
Keyboard
Type a letter to fill the square you're on. The arrow keys move between squares; Backspace clears a letter; Enter jumps to the next empty square. Ctrl+Z (⌘+Z on a Mac) undoes.
Questions
How does a cryptogram work?
Every letter of the quotation has been swapped for a different one, the same way all through the puzzle. If Q stands for T once, it stands for T everywhere. Work out which letter each code letter stands for, and the quotation appears.
Where do the quotations come from?
From books old enough to be in the public domain, such as Benjamin Franklin, Mark Twain and Jane Austen. We check every quotation word for word against a published copy of the book, so the words and the author are right.
What if I'm stuck?
Start with short words: a one-letter word is usually A or I, and a common three-letter word is often THE or AND. Check marks any wrong letters in red, and Reveal letter fills in the square you're on. There is no time limit.
Is there a daily cryptoquote?
Yes. The daily cryptogram is the same for everyone and changes at your midnight. New puzzle gives you another one whenever you like.