Learn to solve cryptic crosswords with interactive lessons and practice. Features daily puzzles, unlimited solving across difficulty levels, and real-time multiplayer duels. Track your progress and access a reference library of indicators and abbreviations.
2.0.1
June 17, 2026
A FRESH NEW LOOK The whole app has been rebuilt around clear tabs -- Play, Learn, Stats and a dedicated Reference library -- with a warmer, cleaner design throughout. New here? A quick guided tour now welcomes you on first launch and shows off every feature (you can replay it any time from Settings). NEW WAYS TO PLAY - Daily Clue: a fresh cryptic every day to keep your streak alive. - Past Clues: missed a day? Replay any previous daily from the calendar archive. - Unlimited Play: an endless library of clues across four difficulty tiers -- Rookie, Standard, Expert and Master. Solve as many as you like and earn XP. - Head-to-Head Duels: race a friend or a rival in real time over the same clue, on the same clock. Play ranked to climb the leaderboard, or keep it friendly. Share a lobby code to invite someone instantly. SHARPER SOLVING TOOLS The Help Me shelf now bundles smarter assistance -- free technique hints, definition reveals, a letter jumble, an anagram solver, a thesaurus and an instant reference lookup, so you're never truly stuck. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS A new Stats hub gathers your streak, XP, leaderboard standing and awards in one place. Progress now syncs across all your devices with iCloud, and Game Center brings leaderboards and achievements. Plus countless fixes and polish throughout. Smoother animations, clearer screens and a more consistent feel everywhere. CrypticCrab is free to start, with no ads. An optional Premium (or one-time Lifetime) unlock adds the full past-clue archive, every learning module, unlimited solving and friend leaderboards. Thanks for playing. Now go get cracking!
MoreGet access full learning content and full solve history
$1.99
Learning Module 2
Learn intermediate solving techniques
CrypticCrab uses a four-phase lesson system: Teach (dissected clues), Guided Solve (interactive clue breakdown), Assisted Solve (progressive hints), and Solo Solve (independent solving with feedback). This hands-on approach breaks down concepts like definitions and wordplay.
Lessons in CrypticCrab can be played offline. However, features like the daily clue, the past clue archive, and multiplayer require an internet connection to function.
CrypticCrab is free to start with no ads. An optional Premium unlock is available as a one-time Lifetime purchase or through monthly/quarterly subscriptions, which grants access to the full past-clue archive, all learning modules, and unlimited solving.
Yes, CrypticCrab offers head-to-head duels where you can race a friend or rival in real time on the same clue. It also includes ranked matches with Game Center rankings and achievements.
CrypticCrab has an age rating of 4+. This indicates it is suitable for a wide audience, including children, due to its non-violent and educational nature.
The latest version, 2.0.1, was last updated on June 17, 2026. While specific update frequency isn't detailed, the release of a major 2.0 version suggests ongoing development and improvements.
Currently, CrypticCrab is supported on iPhones. Progress can sync across your devices using iCloud.
CrypticCrab focuses specifically on teaching the mechanics of cryptic crosswords through interactive lessons and guided practice, rather than just providing puzzles. It offers a structured learning path and unique multiplayer modes.
