Word puzzles
Acrostic — rules and where to play
ACROSTIC · Acrostic puzzle / Quote puzzle
Clue words run across, a quotation reads down the columns; the two directions feed each other letters. More literary than a crossword, and more patient.
- Origin
- 1934 · United States
- Difficulty
- ★★★★★ 3–5 / 5
- Time
- 20–60 min
- Grid
- Quote grid
- Sites
- 2
Rules
- Numbered clue words sit across; their answers fill marked cells.
- Read down the special columns in order and a quotation or author name appears.
- Missing quotation letters come from the crossing clue-word cells.
How to start
Solve the easiest clue words first
A few across words immediately surface certain quotation letters.
Guess the quote from grammar
With a few words known, sense the whole sentence and fill function words by grammar.
Cross-check
Across words and the down quotation share cells; either side confirms the other.
Where players get stuck
- Only attacking the across clues and never reading the down quotation — the biggest hint source.
- Treating the quotation as isolated blanks instead of one coherent sentence.
Play Acrostic
2 sitesRelated puzzles
About this page
- Last updated 2026-09-22
- Source Curated compilation of established puzzle rules and listed third-party play sites
- Audience Players learning Acrostic rules or looking for online sites to play
- Covers Rules summary, how to start, common pitfalls, and the dedicated play sites listed on this page
- Does not cover Hosted puzzles, worked solutions, official contest rankings, third-party uptime or pricing guarantees
- Not advice This page is puzzle reference content only. It does not constitute financial, legal, medical or other professional advice.
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