Are the crossword puzzles original?

Yes. Every puzzle on Gaming Onion is generated for this site—no copied newspaper grids and no third-party clue databases.

How is the daily crossword different?

The daily crossword is one shared puzzle derived from the UTC date, so everyone sees the same grid until midnight UTC. The regular crossword gives you fresh puzzles on demand.

What clue types should I know?

Straight definitions, anagrams flagged by disorder words, hidden words spelled across the clue itself, and double definitions. Question marks usually signal wordplay rather than a literal reading.

Daily mini crossword

Daily

Today’s crossword is fixed by UTC date—everyone solves the same original mini grid until midnight UTC. Tap a square or clue, then type to fill answers.

Time0:00

Daily puzzle · Oct 9, 2026 UTC

Hidden gem

Across

Down

How to play

Select a square or clue to highlight a word. Type letters to fill the grid. Press Tab to move to the next clue in the same direction. Arrow keys move within the active word.

Use Check to mark mistakes and Reveal when you are stuck. Restart daily clears your grid without changing today's puzzle.

How the daily crossword is built

About daily crossword

Daily puzzles use a shared UTC calendar day. Everyone sees the same challenge until 00:00 UTC, when a new puzzle unlocks. If you keep a tab open past midnight, refresh to load today's puzzle.

See all daily puzzles on the daily games hub.

Play a free mini crossword online

This mini crossword is built for quick sessions on phone or desktop. Clues are listed across and down; highlighted squares show the active word. Every puzzle on Gaming Onion is original—no copied newspaper grids or third-party clue databases.

Tips for solving

Start with the longest answers—they anchor the grid.
When a cell belongs to both an across and a down word, the letter must satisfy both clues.
Use check on a single word before revealing letters so you keep the challenge.

More puzzles

Try Sudoku, Minesweeper, or our anagram solver when you need help with letter puzzles.

Mini crossword home

Frequently asked questions

Are the crossword puzzles original?: Yes. Every puzzle on Gaming Onion is generated for this site—no copied newspaper grids and no third-party clue databases.
How is the daily crossword different?: The daily crossword is one shared puzzle derived from the UTC date, so everyone sees the same grid until midnight UTC. The regular crossword gives you fresh puzzles on demand.
What clue types should I know?: Straight definitions, anagrams flagged by disorder words, hidden words spelled across the clue itself, and double definitions. Question marks usually signal wordplay rather than a literal reading.