# Cruciverbalist — The app for crossword creators

> Crossword puzzle creation tool with word suggestions and export options. (iPhone/iPad app by Miranda Strand.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cruciverbalist/id1578919678 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Miranda Strand](https://appshunter.io/developer/1578919680)
- Category: Entertainment
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.40/5 from 30 App Store ratings · 22 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 9 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2022-02-07
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cruciverbalist/id1578919678/reviews.md

## What is Cruciverbalist?

Write your own crossword puzzles! 
No ads and no subscriptions.

CREATE
- Pick a grid size: 5x5, 9x9, 15x15, or 21x21
- Fill in black squares and letters
- Receive suggestions for valid words and phrases to complete partially filled rows and columns
- A 550,000+ word list of English words, names, and phrases is included to make suggestions, but you can also import your own word list to augment or replace this dictionary

SHARE
- Export completed puzzles to PDF, either blank with clues to share with friends, or formatted to submit to the New York Times

## Key features

- Customizable grid sizes
- Black square and letter placement
- Word and phrase suggestions
- Import custom word lists
- Export to PDF (blank or formatted)
- No ads or subscriptions

## Recent user reviews (10 of 22)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cruciverbalist/id1578919678/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Great app, but where's the .puz exporting?

*2025-08-08, version 1.9*

This app does everything it needs to in terms of giving a great way to create crosswords on the go, but I unfortunately can't give it 5 stars because it's missing the key ability to export as a .puz, so I could share my created puzzles elsewhere. Were that feature be eventually added, it would be an easy 5 stars.

### 5/5 — Please Add Custom, Non-Square Grid Sizes (16x15, 15x16, etc)

*2025-06-13, version 1.9*

I use this app for making my crosswords and it works well but whenever I have a themer that is larger that 15x15 and requires a slightly lengthened grid, I don’t want to use 16x16 and fill in the top or bottom row, but that’s what I always end up doing. Could you please make it an option to make custom, non-square grids, kind of like Crosshare? Thanks.

### 5/5 — Good but does not left you do our own black Spots

*2025-05-14, version 1.9*

Kinda good and when its on i make some crosswords they are amazing

### 3/5 — Could Be A Great App

*2025-04-22, version 1.9*

UK user here, and I can’t see any way of being able to change to the UK crossword numbering system? If there was an option of being able to select between American and UK numbering when you first create the crossword, then would give 5*. Could be a great app

### 3/5 — Can’t share the challenge

*2025-03-18, version 1.9*

Crossword puzzler creator works fine with hints and all the bells and whistles except you can’t send it to somebody to play. Why not?

### 3/5 — Almost great

*2024-09-13, version 1.9*

This app is so close to great. It is intuitive, super helpful (mirroring, word and phrase suggestions, word counts). But there are things missing. Here’s my wishlist: 

 - Allow me to assign a box style to an entire word. Styling boxes one by one is tedious - Clues are not saved if you don’t enter them perfectly. Like if it came back to the app while writing a clue, it will appear to be fine, but it isn’t saved. I ended up backing out of my puzzle every time I wrote a clue just for that. - Let me reference another answer and highlight it - let me write clues via a list instead of having to find every word separately

### 4/5 — Can’t figure it out….

*2024-07-17, version 1.9*

How do I move the placement of the numbers for the words? There is so little instruction.

### 5/5 — Great for construction work on the go!

*2024-06-28, version 1.9*

I am very much just an amateur constructor, but this app single-handedly quadrupled my productivity. Being able to edit on the go on my phone is a game changer. The word list is definitely adequate for me. Thank you for making this, and for free. 

I would love to see some more share options, such as exporting a .puz file. The pdf only option is too limited, so I usually end up cluing on other software.  Like other suggested, I’d pay an upgrade (ideally one-time!) for this functionality.

Thank you to the developer! You have reignited my construction passion!

### 5/5 — Great except for bug (updated)

*2024-04-29, version 1.9*

I generally really like this app! It doesn’t have quite as many features as Phil, but since Phil is web-based and I can’t use it on my iPad this is a great alternative. However, there is a bug where every time I try to fill in a square on the bottom half of the grid, the whole grid slides down toward the bottom of the screen behind the keyboard. This isn’t a dealbreaker because when I close the keyboard I can see the whole grid again, but it is really annoying and it would be nice if this could be fixed. Other than that it’s great!
UPDATE: the developer was super quick to respond and fix the issue! Changed my rating to 5 stars :)

### 3/5 — Promising

*2024-04-21, version 1.7*

This is ON THE WAY to becoming a great App. There’s one major flaw that needs urgent attention: the auto-numbering doesn’t work and counts almost every square and I can’t find a way to fix it. Some minor tweaks on page zooming that aren’t too bothersome but need some attention. Once the former issue is solved, this looks as though it could be a brilliant crossword design app.

## Frequently asked questions about Cruciverbalist

### What can I do with this app?

This app allows you to create your own crossword puzzles from scratch. You can choose your grid size, fill in black squares and letters, and receive suggestions for valid words and phrases to complete your puzzle. It also allows you to export your finished puzzles.

### How does the word suggestion feature work?

The app includes a large built-in dictionary of over 550,000 English words, names, and phrases. It uses this list to suggest valid words and phrases that fit into partially filled rows and columns of your crossword grid, helping you complete it efficiently.

### Can I use my own words in the puzzles?

Yes, you can import your own word lists to augment or replace the app's default dictionary. This gives you greater control over the vocabulary used in your crossword puzzles, allowing for more personalized or themed creations.

### What are the export options for completed puzzles?

Completed puzzles can be exported to PDF format. You have the option to export them as a blank puzzle with clues, perfect for sharing with friends, or in a formatted layout suitable for submission to publications like the New York Times.

### Is this app free to use?

No, this application is a paid app. It offers a one-time purchase with no advertisements or subscription fees, providing an uninterrupted experience for creating crossword puzzles.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.9 — 2024-04-23

Fix numbering for British style crosswords

### 1.8 — 2024-04-22

- Swipe down to dismiss keyboard
- Fix bugs with keyboard showing

### 1.7 — 2024-03-11

Fix bug with symmetry setting

### 1.6 — 2024-03-10

- Support barred crosswords
- Support rebuses
- Fix bug where duplicate puzzles were saved

### 1.5 — 2022-08-06

Add circles and shading to boxes in your grid

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## Related topics

[crossword creator](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/crossword-creator) · [crossword puzzle maker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/crossword-puzzle-maker)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*