Fill-In
Every word on the list belongs somewhere in the grid. Use the word lengths and the letters where words cross to fit them all in. One word is given to start.
How to play Fill-In
How to play
Tap a space in the grid, then the word that goes there, or tap a word first and then its space. On a computer you can also drag a word onto the grid, and on a phone press and hold a word to drag it. Placed words are crossed off the list. To take a word out, select its space and choose Remove. If two words disagree where they cross, that square shows both letters with a slash.
Getting started
Start with the lengths: a length with only one word gives that word away. Then look at the letters the given word puts into the spaces that cross it. A 6-letter space that starts with R may fit just one word on the list.
Keys
On a keyboard, the arrow keys pick a space, and Enter or Space switches between across and down. Type the first letters of a word to pick it, then press Enter to put it in. Backspace takes the word in the selected space out again.
Hints and daily
A hint first takes out a word that is in the wrong space. Otherwise it places the next word and says why it must go there. The daily puzzle is a Medium 11×11 grid, the same for everyone, and changes at midnight UTC.
Questions
What is a fill-in puzzle?
A fill-in, also called a word fit or criss-cross, is a crossword grid without clues. You get the whole list of answers, sorted by length, and fit each one into the grid so that every crossing letter agrees.
How is a fill-in different from a crossword?
A crossword gives you clues and you have to think of the answers. In a fill-in you already have every answer, and the puzzle is working out where each one goes from the word lengths and the letters where words cross.
Does every puzzle have only one solution?
Yes. Every puzzle was checked by a search that tried every way to place the words and found exactly one, with the starting word given. A step-by-step logic solver also finished each one, so you never need to guess.
Any tips for solving fill-ins?
Begin with the lengths that have the fewest words, then follow the letters each new word puts into the spaces that cross it. When two words could fit a space, try each in your head and see which one still leaves a word for every crossing space.
Where do the words come from?
They are everyday English words of 3 to 9 letters from the SCOWL word list, with names, unkind or upsetting words, and words spelled differently in British and American English left out. Word list: SCOWL.