Grid Genius, in one page
The AI crossword app that turns any topic into a real, solvable puzzle. Everything on this page (copy, screenshots, brand assets) may be used freely in coverage, no permission needed.
Grid Genius is an AI-powered crossword app for iOS, Android, and the web. Type any topic and it builds a real, solvable crossword about it, complete with clues. A free daily challenge, AI hints that nudge instead of spoil, and friend duels round out the game. Built by one developer.
Grid Genius turns any topic into a playable crossword. Type Greek myths, 90s pop, or your dog's name, pick a difficulty and grid size, and the app generates a valid interlocking puzzle with clues to match. It is built and run end to end by Anil Rao K, a solo developer: product, code, design, and the AI generation pipeline.
Beyond generation, Grid Genius publishes a free daily challenge (every day since January 26, 2026) with streaks and global leaderboards, and offers AI Hints: progressive, contextual nudges that rephrase a clue or surface a related fact instead of revealing letters. Solvers can import .puz and .ipuz files, export any puzzle to print-ready PDF, challenge friends to asynchronous duels, and play inside ChatGPT and Claude through the official MCP connector. The web app launched in early 2026, iOS in April 2026, and Android in July 2026. Free to play; Pro is $7.99 a month or $49.99 a year.
Any topic becomes a crossword
Type a subject (Greek myths, 90s pop, your dog), pick difficulty and grid size, and the AI selects vocabulary, writes clues, and lays out a valid interlocking grid. Every puzzle is unique.
AI Hints that nudge instead of spoil
Progressive, contextual hints that rephrase the clue or surface a related fact rather than revealing letters. The solver still does the solving. No other crossword app works this way.
Bring your own puzzles
Import standard .puz and .ipuz files (new in version 1.3.4, August 2026) and solve them with the full app experience. Any puzzle also exports to print-ready PDF.
Duels with friends
Challenge a friend to the same crossword. Both solve separately, on their own time. Best time wins, and a running series record keeps the rivalry going.
Plays inside ChatGPT and Claude
An official MCP connector lets people generate and solve Grid Genius crosswords without leaving their AI chat, and a free embed widget drops a playable puzzle into any website.
Click any image for the full-resolution PNG (1080 x 1920). These are the current store screenshots and match the shipping app.
The marks carry their own ink plate and work on light or dark backgrounds. Please use them as provided, without recoloring or restyling. Brand palette: cream #f6f2e8, ink #181613, saffron #d77a1f.
Anil Rao K builds Grid Genius alone: product, code, design, and the AI generation pipeline. The project started in December 2025 with a simple question, what if a crossword could be about anything, and shipped to the App Store four months later.
He writes at anilraok.com and posts as @GridGeniusApp on X. Interviews, demos, and review access are easy to arrange.
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Writing about Grid Genius?
Get in touch for review access to Pro, a demo, or anything not covered here. Replies come from the developer, usually within a day.
support@gridgenius.app