Printable Crosswords Grid Types

Many people don't realize that there are different types of grids used to create printable crosswords. What I find really interesting is that the types of grids are more common among different regions and cultures in the world. While there are subtle differences between the crosswords in North America and Britain, The Japanese have added additional rules to those that are typically followed elsewhere.

The typical North American crossword puzzle is made up of solid chunks of white squares, with black squares strategically placed throughout the grid. As a general rule, an answer requires at least three characters. Another general rule is that the black squares will make up about 1/6th of the grid's design. In other places such as Australia, their grids are more of a lattice-like structure with a higher number of black squares, leaving almost half of the letters in an answer unchecked. In other words, if the top row has a single answer running entirely across the top row, there will be no answers running in parallel with it below.

Another variation popular in Britain is that the grid is symmetrical at 180 degrees. No matter if you hold the paper right-side-up or up-side-down, you'll visually see the same grid pattern! Usually these designs require that all white cells are connected in one mass through shared sides, forming a polyomino.

The Japanese, always adding complexity to everything, have two additional rules they follow. First, black squares may not share a side. Secondly, the black square must corner to a white square.

No matter what the type of printable crosswords your dealing with, they usually follow standard sizes. Most "weekday" puzzles that you'll find in a newspaper will be a grid made up of 15 x 15 squares. But on the weekends, when you have more time, the grid increases to 21 x 21. Puzzle books that you might purchase may be even bigger, including 23 x 23, 25 x 25, or even 30 x 30! Luckily when we're dealing with printable crosswords, we can get as rudimentary as we want or as elaborate as possible! Helen Marie has a lot more information about the various grid types used in printable crosswords on her site as well.