Let word length narrow the choice
Start with the word bank, grouped by length. Compare each group with the numbered slots: if only one six-letter word is available and only one slot has six cells, that is a useful first placement.
Choose a slot by tapping its cells or opening Choose a slot. At a crossing, tap again to change between Across and Down. The highlighted cells and selected-slot heading show exactly which space you are filling.
Use the position of a crossing letter
A shared letter is more useful when you check its position. If a five-letter down slot crosses an A in its third cell, that narrows the bank to words whose third letter is A. A word containing A somewhere else will not fit.
A shared cell must have the same letter in both directions. Word Fit rejects a conflicting placement immediately, but it does not tell you whether every tentative word belongs in its final position.
Backtrack when a later word gets stuck
A locally valid placement can still lead to a dead end. Check the crossing words before assuming the remaining word bank is wrong. Select a filled slot and use Remove word; shared letters remain when another placed word still uses them.
Undo reverses the most recent placement or removal. For example, if both EARTH and APPLE fit an empty five-cell slot, placing one is a hypothesis. A later crossing may distinguish them. You can return to the earlier choice without starting a new puzzle.
Use a hint deliberately
Hint reveals the word for the selected empty slot without placing it. If that word is already used elsewhere, remove the earlier placement first. If a crossing conflicts, clear that crossing before placing the hinted word.
Hints are recorded once per revealed slot and remain counted after undo. The completed result reports hints used, so you can decide whether to solve independently or get help with a difficult crossing.
Pause and return to your grid
Progress, undo history and revealed hints are saved in this browser when saving is available. Clearing site data removes them. New puzzle asks before replacing an unfinished attempt and chooses a different grid from the eight-puzzle collection; the original and transposed orientations can repeat over time.
Fit all eight words to see the completion summary, share the result or begin another puzzle. Ready to try the crossing method? Play Word Fit.