Find words by pattern
The word search runs in your browser using a Common English word list.
Use ? for unknown letters, like c?t or ??ing.
Optional. Pattern length controls when both are entered.
More options
Optional note for you. It is not used for matching.
Loading the general English word list...
How this crossword solver works
The tool filters the shared general English word list by the pattern you enter. Known letters match exact positions, and each question mark matches exactly one unknown letter.
Pattern examples using question marks
A pattern like c?t matches three-letter words with c first and t last. A pattern like ??ing matches five-letter words ending in ing. The full pattern length controls the word length.
Optional word length filtering
If you do not know any letters yet, choose an exact word length to browse matching-length words. If you enter both a pattern and a length, they need to describe the same number of letters.
Why clue text is not solved
The optional clue note is only for your reference and is not interpreted. This version does not use AI clue solving, scrape crossword databases or claim publisher-specific answers.
What this tool does not include
It does not guarantee puzzle answers, check official archives, provide definitions or solve semantic clues. Results depend on the compact general word list.
Key terms and assumptionsShort notes about patterns, word length and clue limits.
- Pattern matching
- Known letters match exact positions and each question mark matches exactly one unknown letter.
- Length handling
- A full pattern controls word length. If a separate length is entered, it must match the pattern length.
- No clue solving
- The optional clue note is not interpreted and does not change results.
- General word list
- Matches come from the compact general word list, not a publisher-specific answer set.
- Result cap
- Visible results are capped by the maximum results setting while the count still reflects all matches.
Guides and methodology
Plain-English notes that explain the assumptions behind related calculators and tools.
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Browse the Word Games hub for related word-finding tools.
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FAQs
How do I enter a crossword pattern?
Use known letters and ? for unknown letters, such as c?t or ??ing.
Does this solve crossword clues?
No. It matches letter patterns only; clue text is not interpreted.
Can I search by word length?
Yes. Use a full pattern or choose an optional exact word length.
What does ? mean?
Each ? stands for exactly one unknown letter.
Why are there no matches?
The pattern may be too specific, the length may conflict or the word may not be in the compact general word list.
Can I copy the matches?
Yes. Copy results copies the visible matching words.
Does this use a crossword database?
No. It uses a dictionary-style general word list.