NYT Crossplay solver
Stuck with a stubborn rack? Enter your tiles, add what's already on the board, and we'll surface valid words scored with official Crossplay letter values. Some people call it a cheat, we call it the fastest way to see the play you were missing.
Results
Enter at least your rack letters above and hit Search. Every matching word shows its score using Crossplay's own tile values.
Results
What is NYT Crossplay?
Crossplay is the New York Times' first-ever 2-player word game. Unlike Wordle or other daily puzzles, Crossplay puts you head-to-head against friends, family, or random opponents in real-time word battles. Think Scrabble-style tile play, but with unique tile values, a stricter dictionary, and exclusive features like Cross Bot, NYT's AI coach that analyzes your games and helps you improve.
- Cross Bot: AI-powered postgame analysis highlights your best moves and missed opportunities.
- In-game chat: Message opponents during matches, a first for NYT games.
- Smart matchmaking: Get paired with players at your skill level.
- Leaderboards: Add up to 100 friends and track who's on top.
- No ads: Distraction-free gameplay, unlike Scrabble GO or Words With Friends.
Crossplay vs Scrabble vs Words With Friends
| Feature | Crossplay | Words With Friends | Scrabble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Players | 2-player only | 2-player | 2–4 players |
| Tile count | 100 tiles | 104 tiles | 100 tiles |
| Letter values | Unique (K, V, W, Y worth 5–6 pts) | Modified from Scrabble | Traditional |
| Dictionary | Curated NWL23 (stricter) | Larger, includes slang | TWL / SOWPODS |
| End-game rule | Equal turns (both get a final turn) | Empty rack wins | Empty rack gets bonus |
| Ads | None | Heavy | Varies by app |
| AI coach | Cross Bot (postgame analysis) | No | No |
| In-game chat | Yes | Yes | Varies |
| Platform | Standalone app (iOS/Android) | App + Facebook | Board game + apps |
Bottom line: Crossplay rewards strategic tile placement over long words. The rebalanced letter values and equal-turns rule make it a fresh challenge even for Scrabble veterans.
Crossplay letter values & tile counts
Common consonants (N, R, S, T) are only worth 1 point, while mid-tier letters like K, V, W, and Y score 5–6 points. Use this chart to maximize your turn value:
How to play NYT Crossplay
Crossplay is a two-player word board game where opponents take turns creating words on a shared grid. Each player draws from the same tile bag, places words for points, and competes to build the highest score. The first word must touch the center tile, and every word after must connect to existing tiles.
Getting started
- You start with 7 hidden tiles your opponent can't see.
- After playing a word, new tiles refill your rack until the bag is empty.
- Bonus board squares (2× letter, 3× word, etc.) multiply your score.
- Equal turns rule: Both players get one final turn after the bag runs out, even if you empty your rack first.
Strategies for higher scores
- Prioritize multipliers: save high-value letters (J, Q, X, Z) for double/triple word squares.
- Use parallel plays: place words alongside existing ones to score multiple short words in one move.
- Play defense: if you can't use a bonus square, block it.
- Build chains: common letters (R, S, T, N, E) extend words and set up your next turn.
- Short beats long: a 4-letter word with K, V, or W on a multiplier often outscores a 7-letter word of common tiles.
NYT Crossplay FAQ
What is NYT Crossplay?
Crossplay is The New York Times’ first 2-player word game. Compete against friends or get matched with opponents at your skill level. Build words on a shared board, earn points, and use Cross Bot to improve your game.
Is Crossplay free?
Yes. You can download the app and play against the computer for free. Multiplayer, stats tracking, and Cross Bot analysis require a free NYT Games account. Some advanced features may require an NYT Games subscription.
Where can I play Crossplay?
Download the official NYT Crossplay app for iOS or Android. Unlike other NYT games, Crossplay has its own standalone app — it is not inside the main NYT Games app.
Do Crossplay letter values match Scrabble?
No. Crossplay uses unique tile values. Mid-tier letters like K, V, W, and Y are worth 5–6 points (compared to 4–5 in Scrabble), while common consonants like N, R, S, T are only 1 point. This changes strategy significantly.
What dictionary does Crossplay use?
Crossplay uses a curated word list based on NWL23 but removes certain words that are valid in Scrabble and Words With Friends. If a word you know gets rejected, that is likely why — the app dictionary is the final authority.
Why do both players get a final turn?
Crossplay enforces an equal turn count. Once the tile bag is empty, both players complete one final turn before scoring — even if you emptied your rack first. This prevents first-player advantage from deciding close games.
What is Cross Bot?
Cross Bot is Crossplay’s built-in AI coach. After every 2-player game, Cross Bot reviews your match and highlights key moments, missed opportunities, and strategic insights to help you improve.