How to play Lexicrab

Lexicrab is a word puzzle with no typing. Four five-letter words cross each other on a small grid, two reading across and two reading down. All sixteen letters are already on the board, but they are scrambled. Swap them back into place before you run out of swaps.

The basics

• Tap one letter, then another, and the two trade places. That is one swap.
• The puzzle is solved when all four words read correctly.
• Every puzzle gives you a fixed number of swaps: five more than the shortest possible solve.
• Each swap you have left at the end is a star, up to five.

What the colors mean

After every swap the tiles are colored again:

• Green: the right letter in the right spot. Leave it alone.
• Yellow: the letter belongs in that word, but in a different spot.
• Gray: the letter does not belong in any word that runs through that tile.

Four tiles sit where two words cross. A crossing tile turns yellow if its letter belongs to either of the two words.

One detail to remember: a letter can stay yellow in a word that contains it even when every copy of that letter in the word is already placed. Yellow means "this word uses this letter", not "this word still needs one more".

Swaps are the score

There is no undo, because swaps are what you are spending. Two things cost nothing: tapping the same tile twice to cancel your pick, and trying to swap two tiles that hold the same letter, which is simply refused.

If the last swap is used and the grid is not solved, the answer is shown and the day is over. A lost daily puzzle cannot be played again and does not add to your streak.

The secret theme

The four words of a daily puzzle always share a theme, such as things you find in a kitchen. The theme is revealed when you solve the grid. If you want it earlier, the Theme hint button shows it during play for the price of one swap. It will not let you spend your very last swap on a hint.

Daily puzzle, archive and packs

One new grid arrives every day and is the same for everyone. Solving it on its own day keeps your streak going. Past days stay in the archive and can be played for fun.

Theme packs are sets of ten puzzles built around one theme and played in order. Packs open one after another as you finish them. Inside a pack the hint button becomes Reveal a letter: for one swap it moves one wrong tile to where it belongs. Pack puzzles can be retried as often as you like, and replaying a solved one keeps your better score.

Questions

Do I have to type anything?

No. Every letter you need is already on the board. You only swap.

How many stars can I get?

Five. You start with five swaps more than the shortest solve needs, and every swap you do not use is a star.

What happens when I run out of swaps?

The answer is revealed and the puzzle counts as lost. Where a video ad is available you may be offered three extra swaps for watching it. A grid finished that way keeps your streak but earns no stars.

Is Lexicrab free?

Yes. The web game is free, needs no account and saves your progress in your browser.

Next, read the Lexicrab tips or play today's grid. Lexicrab is made by One Thumb Games.