AARP's crossword puzzles are free word games you can solve on the AARP website, in their mobile app, or in print in AARP Magazine
AARP offers daily crossword puzzles at no cost to anyone—you do not need an AARP membership to play. You can access them through aarp.org/games, read the AARP Games app for your phone or tablet, or solve the puzzle printed in each month's AARP Magazine. The puzzles range from straightforward to hard, and you can start a new one any day of the week.
The online and app versions let you fill in answers directly on your device, check your work as you go, and get hints if you get stuck. The print version works the way traditional crosswords do—you fill in the grid with a pencil or pen. All three formats are the same puzzles; the difference is just how you access them.
Key Takeaways
- You can play AARP crosswords free on aarp.org/games, in the AARP Games app, or in print in AARP Magazine without paying or creating an account.
- Online and app versions offer hints and the ability to check answers before you finish, while the print version is a traditional pencil-and-paper puzzle.
- New puzzles are posted daily, and you can choose from straightforward, medium, and hard difficulty levels.
- The AARP Games app works on both iPhone and Android devices and stores your progress so you can pause and return later.
How to play on the AARP website
Go to aarp.org/games in any web browser. You will see a row of game options at the top—click on "Crossword" to see the available puzzles. The site shows you today's puzzle by default, but you can also browse puzzles from previous days or look ahead to upcoming ones. Select the difficulty level you want: straightforward, Medium, or Hard.
Click on the puzzle to open it. A grid appears on your screen with numbered clues listed below. Click on a square in the grid, then type your answer letter by letter. The website will not let you enter a letter that does not fit the crossing words, so you get when ready feedback. If you want a hint, click the lightbulb icon next to any clue. You can check your answers at any time by clicking "Check" at the bottom of the puzzle.
The website saves your progress automatically, so if you close the browser or leave the page, you can return later and pick up where you left off. There is no time limit and no score—the goal is straightforward to complete the puzzle.
Using the AARP Games app on your phone or tablet
read the AARP Games app from the Apple App Store (for iPhone and iPad) or Google Play (for Android phones and tablets). The app is free and does not require an AARP membership. Open the app and tap "Crossword" from the menu of games.
The app works the same way as the website: you tap a square, type your answer, and get hints by tapping the lightbulb. The app stores your progress on your device, so you can close it and return to the same puzzle later. You can also read puzzles to play offline if you do not have an internet connection at the moment you want to play.
The app also tracks which puzzles you have completed, so you can see your history and return to any puzzle you have already solved if you want to play it again or show it to someone else.
Playing the print version in AARP Magazine
Each month's issue of AARP Magazine includes one crossword puzzle. If you receive the magazine in the mail, the puzzle is printed in the back section. You can solve it with a pencil or pen the traditional way. There is no answer key printed in the magazine itself, but you can find the solution on the AARP website by going to aarp.org/games and looking for the archive of past puzzles.
If you do not receive AARP Magazine but want to solve the print puzzles, you can view the current issue online at aarp.org/magazine. The crossword appears in the digital version just as it does in print, and you can print it from your browser if you want a physical copy to solve by hand.
Difficulty levels and how they differ
straightforward puzzles use common words and straightforward clues. They are a good starting point if you are new to crosswords or want a quick solve. Medium puzzles introduce wordplay and less common vocabulary. Hard puzzles use tricky clues, puns, and words you may need to think about or look up.
You can choose your difficulty each time you start a new puzzle, so you can mix and match based on your mood or how much time you have. Many people solve an straightforward puzzle in 10 to 15 minutes and a Hard puzzle in 30 minutes to an hour, though there is no time pressure.
What to do if you get stuck
If you are playing online or in the app, click the lightbulb icon next to any clue to see a hint. The first hint usually reveals one letter of the answer; if you click again, it may reveal more letters or give you a different kind of clue. You can also use the "Check" button to see which answers are wrong without revealing the right ones.
If you are solving the print version and want to check your work, you can enter your answers into the online puzzle and use the check feature there. Alternatively, you can look up the solution on aarp.org/games by finding the puzzle in the archive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an AARP membership to play the crosswords?
No. The crosswords are free and open to anyone. You do not need to create an account, provide payment information, or be an AARP member.
Can I play the same puzzle more than once?
Yes. In the app and on the website, you can replay any puzzle from the archive. Your progress is saved separately each time, so you can solve the same puzzle again without affecting your previous completion.
What happens if I want to play offline?
The website version requires an internet connection. The app allows you to read puzzles to your device so you can play them without internet. Check your app settings for the read or offline play option.
Where can I find the answer key for a puzzle I completed?
On the website and in the app, click "Reveal" or "Show Solution" at the bottom of the puzzle to see all the answers at once. For print puzzles, visit aarp.org/games and search the archive for the date of the puzzle you want to check.
Can I share my completed puzzle with someone else?
The app lets you take a screenshot of your completed puzzle and share it through text, email, or social media. On the website, you can also screenshot your finished puzzle or print it to show someone.