Cryptogram Solver
Decode substitution cipher puzzles with our interactive solver. Features letter frequency analysis, pattern matching, and dictionary validation to help you crack any cryptogram.
English Letter Frequency
Most common letters in English: E T A O I N S H R
Solving Tips
- 1.Look for single-letter words - they are usually A or I
- 2.Find the most common letters in the cipher and try mapping to E, T, A, O
- 3.Look for common patterns: double letters (LL, SS, EE), THE, AND, -ING, -TION
- 4.Apostrophes often precede T (can't), S (it's), D (we'd), or LL (I'll)
How to Use the Cryptogram Solver
Paste Cryptogram
Enter or paste your cryptogram puzzle text into the input box
Map Letters
Use the substitution key to map cipher letters to plain letters
Check Words
Decoded words are validated - green check means valid English word
Lock & Solve
Lock correct mappings and continue until the message is revealed
Cryptogram Solving Strategies
Single-letter words are almost always A or I. Two-letter words are often AN, AT, BE, BY, DO, GO, HE, IF, IN, IS, IT, ME, MY, NO, OF, ON, OR, SO, TO, UP, US, WE.
The most common letter in your cryptogram likely represents E, T, or A. Match frequency patterns between your cipher and standard English letter frequency.
Look for THE (most common 3-letter word), double letters like LL, SS, EE, and endings like -ING, -TION, -ED.
Common Word Patterns
Most Common Words
These appear most frequently in English:
Common Endings
Watch for these suffixes:
Contractions
Apostrophes help identify:
Double Letters
Most common doubles:
More Word Puzzle Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cryptogram?
A cryptogram is a puzzle where a message is encoded by substituting each letter with a different letter. For example, every A might become X, every B might become Q, and so on. The goal is to figure out the substitution pattern and decode the hidden message.
How do I solve a cryptogram?
Start by looking for patterns: single-letter words are usually A or I, look for common short words like THE, AND, IS, IT. Use letter frequency - E is the most common letter in English. Look for double letters and common endings like -ING, -TION, -ED. Our solver helps by showing letter frequencies and validating your guesses against a dictionary.
What is letter frequency analysis?
Letter frequency analysis is a technique for solving cryptograms based on how often letters appear in English text. E is the most common (12.7%), followed by T (9.1%), A (8.2%), O (7.5%), and I (7.0%). By matching the most frequent cipher letters to common English letters, you can start cracking the code.
What are cryptoquotes?
Cryptoquotes (also called cryptoquips) are cryptograms that encode famous quotes or sayings. They appear in many newspapers and puzzle books. The same solving techniques apply - use frequency analysis and pattern recognition to decode the hidden quote.
What is the Celebrity Cipher?
Celebrity Cipher is a popular syndicated newspaper puzzle created by Luis Campos. Each puzzle encodes a quote from a famous person. The cipher changes daily, but solving techniques remain the same: frequency analysis, pattern matching, and logical deduction.
Can the same letter appear twice in a cryptogram solution?
In a standard substitution cipher cryptogram, each cipher letter maps to exactly one plain letter, and each plain letter is represented by exactly one cipher letter. So if X=E in the puzzle, then E will always be encoded as X, and X will always decode to E.
Our free online cryptogram solver helps you decode substitution cipher puzzles found in newspapers, puzzle books, and online games. Whether you are solving a daily cryptoquote, Celebrity Cipher, or creating your own coded messages, this tool provides letter frequency analysis and dictionary validation to make solving easier. Perfect for crossword enthusiasts, puzzle lovers, and anyone interested in cryptography and code-breaking.