Free Alternatives to Every NYT Game
NYT is moving games behind a paywall. Here are free alternatives you can play right now -- no subscription, no account.
| NYT Game | Status | Top free alternative |
|---|---|---|
| NYT Mini Crossword | Moving behind paywall | AI Crossword Daily Mini |
| NYT Connections | Free (for now) | Contexto |
| NYT Strands | Free (for now) | Word Search Pro |
| NYT Spelling Bee | Partially paywalled | Spelling Bee (free clones) |
| NYT Wordle | Free | Quordle |
NYT Mini Crossword
Moving behind paywallAI Crossword Daily MiniOur pick
A free 5x5 mini every day plus the full archive, right on this site. No account, no limit.
USA Today Quick Cross
Free daily mini crossword in the browser. Slightly easier than the NYT Mini.
Washington Post Mini
Free daily mini in the browser. Difficulty varies more than the NYT Mini.
NYT Connections
Free (for now)Contexto
Guess the secret word using semantic distance. Similar "find the connection" feeling.
NYT Strands
Free (for now)Word Search Pro
Classic word search puzzles with themed categories. Free with ads.
Skip the paywall
Play a free mini crossword every day right here, plus the whole archive.
Play today's miniNYT Spelling Bee
Partially paywalledSpelling Bee (free clones)
Several free web-based clones replicate the Spelling Bee format. Search "free spelling bee game" for current options.
NYT Wordle
FreeQuordle
Solve 4 Wordles at once. Hosted by Merriam-Webster. Free daily.
Dordle
Two Wordles simultaneously. Good stepping stone to Quordle.
Play free
Today's mini crossword
A new 5x5 every day plus the full archive, right in your browser. No account, no limit.
Play now