How much does Cryptic Crosswords cost?
Real gear costs, sorted by tier. The essentials first — then the nice-to-haves once you're hooked.
Budget starter
$26
Essentials only, cheapest picks
Mid-range
$75
Essentials, recommended picks
Full setup
$170
Essentials + optional gear, premium
Cost questions
How much does Cryptic Crosswords cost to start?
A budget Cryptic Crosswords starter kit runs around $26 for the essentials. A mid-range setup is closer to $75, and a fully kitted setup runs $170+.
Is Cryptic Crosswords an expensive hobby?
No — Cryptic Crosswords is relatively affordable. You can get started for under $26 with the essential gear.
What do I actually need to buy to start Cryptic Crosswords?
The essentials are: Puzzle Books, Reference & Tools. The optional gear is nice once you're hooked, but not required to get started.
Can I start Cryptic Crosswords on a budget?
Yes. The budget tier shown above gets you everything essential for around $26. Avoid buying the premium tier until you've stuck with it for a few months.
Understanding Cryptic Crosswords costs
The real cost to start Cryptic Crosswords sits between $26 (bare essentials, budget picks) and $75 (solid mid-range kit) for the items you genuinely need on day one. A fully equipped setup with optional gear runs around $170. Those figures assume you're buying new — used gear can cut the entry cost significantly, especially for Cryptic Crosswords, where secondhand equipment is common.
What's essential vs. optional
The 2 essential items in this breakdown — Puzzle Books, Reference & Tools — are what you actually need to get started. Skip any of these and you'll hit a wall early. The 1 optional item (Setting Software) are quality-of-life upgrades that matter once the habit is established. Buy them when you've confirmed the hobby is sticking.
Which tier should you start with?
For most beginners, the mid-range tier (~$75) is the right starting point. Budget picks often create friction that makes it harder to tell if you're struggling with the hobby or just fighting bad equipment. Mid-range gear removes that ambiguity without overcommitting before you know the hobby sticks. The premium tier ($170+) makes sense once you've been doing Cryptic Crosswords for six months or more and know exactly where your current gear is holding you back.
What each item is for
- Puzzle Books(~$35 mid-range)Graded cryptic collections — how you learn by doing.
- Reference & Tools(~$40 mid-range)A guide to the devices plus reference works for solving and setting.