XWord Info Scored Word Lists
A scored word list is one of a crossword constructor's most important tools
A great word list helps constructors produce great puzzles. The lists here contain answer words from every NYT puzzle in the Modern Era including Variety and Acrostic puzzles, and even rebus crosswords, plus many tens of thousands more added by Jeff Chen. This huge variety of useful words is a treasure trove for constructors.
Each word is scored so you and your crossword construction software can make better and more efficient choices when filling a grid.
There are two lists here, each available in either Windows (.txt) or Mac (.dict) format. Use them with Crossword Compiler, or CrossFire, or other construction software.
- The basic XWord Info Word List has 251,446 entries scored from 5 (avoid) to 60 (great). It's available to anyone with an Angel account. (114,567 come from published NYT puzzles, the rest are manual additions from us.)
- The premium list, called Jeff Chen's Personal List, has all the words in the basic list plus an additional 28,584 high-value words scored at 60 that have never appeared in any NYT crossword. For this list, you need a current Angel account and a one-time payment of $200 made directly to Jeff.
Both lists are updated regularly. Questions? Read our Word List FAQ.
You must be logged in with an Angel level account to download word lists.
If you already have an account, log in.
If you need to create an account, pay now at the $50 Angel level to get access to the XWord Info Word List until Thu Nov 20, 2025.
The XWord Info Word List (Angels only)
251,446 words scored from 5 to 60. (136,879 have never appeared in any NYT crossword.)
Download the XWI List as .txt for Windows Download the XWI List as .dict for MacJeff Chen's Personal List (extra cost)
Adds 28,584 additional words scored at 60 that have never appeared in any NYT crossword.
Download Jeff Chen's Personal List as .txt Download Jeff Chen's Personal List as .dict