Where to play AARP's crossword puzzle online

AARP publishes a free daily crossword puzzle on its website at aarp.org/games. You do not need an AARP membership to play — the puzzle is open to anyone. The crossword updates each day at midnight Eastern time, and you can solve it directly in your browser without downloading anything.

The puzzle appears in a grid on the games page. You click on a square, type your answer, and the site checks your work as you go. If you get stuck, you can reveal individual letters or entire words, or skip the puzzle and come back later.

AARP also offers the crossword through its mobile app, available for iPhone and Android. The app syncs your progress across devices, so you can start on your phone and finish on a computer, or vice versa.

Key Takeaways

  • AARP's daily crossword is free and does not require membership or login to play.
  • The puzzle is available on aarp.org/games and through the AARP mobile app for both iPhone and Android.
  • A new puzzle publishes each day at midnight Eastern time, and you can reveal letters or skip and return later if you get stuck.
  • The site keeps a record of your solve times and streak if you create a free account, though this is optional.

How to create an account to track your progress

Creating an account is optional but lets you save your solve times, track how many days in a row you have completed the puzzle, and resume mid-puzzle if you close your browser. To set up an account, go to aarp.org/games, click "Sign In" in the upper right, and select "Create Account."

You will need an email address and a password. AARP will ask for your birth year to confirm you are 50 or older, though this is a soft check — the site does not verify your age. Once your account is created, you can log in on any device and your progress will sync.

If you do not want to create an account, you can still play the daily puzzle. Your progress will be saved only on that specific device and browser, and will disappear if you clear your browser cache.

What to do if the puzzle won't load or you cannot access it

If the crossword page is blank or the puzzle does not appear, try these steps in order: refresh the page, clear your browser cache and cookies, try a different browser, or try the AARP app instead of the website.

If you are using an older version of the AARP app, update it from your device's app store. If the puzzle still will not load after these steps, AARP's support team can help. Go to aarp.org/about/contact-us to find the phone number or email form for technical support.

The puzzle may also be temporarily unavailable during scheduled maintenance, which AARP usually announces on its games page. If you see a maintenance notice, the puzzle will return within a few hours.

Other word games and puzzles AARP offers

Beyond the daily crossword, AARP's games section includes Sudoku, Mahjongg, Solitaire, Spelling Bee, and Jumble. All are free and available on aarp.org/games. Each game has its own daily puzzle, and you can play multiple games in one sitting or focus on just one.

The games are designed to be low-pressure — there is no timer, no score, and no penalty for mistakes. You can play at your own pace, take breaks, and return whenever you want.

How AARP's games differ from other crossword sites

AARP's crossword is smaller and simpler than the New York Times crossword or other major puzzles. The grid is typically 13 by 13 squares, compared to 15 by 15 for the Times. The clues are straightforward and do not rely on wordplay or obscure references, making it a good fit for people who want a quick, satisfying solve without frustration.

AARP does not charge for any of its games, and does not show ads on the puzzle page itself. The site is also designed to work on older computers and slower internet connections, which matters for people using older devices.

Printing the crossword to solve on paper

If you prefer to solve crosswords by hand, you can print AARP's daily puzzle. On the games page, look for a print icon (usually a printer symbol) near the puzzle grid. Click it, and your browser will open a print preview. From there, print to your printer or save as a PDF.

The printed version includes the grid and all the clues, formatted to fit on a single page. You can print it, solve it with a pencil, and keep it as a record if you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be an AARP member to play the crossword?

No. The daily crossword is free and open to anyone, regardless of membership status. You do not need to enter a membership number or create an AARP account to play, though creating a free account lets you track your solve times.

What time does the new puzzle come out each day?

The new crossword publishes at midnight Eastern time. If you are in a different time zone, convert accordingly — for example, midnight Eastern is 11 p.m. Central and 9 p.m. Pacific. The previous day's puzzle remains available to play after the new one posts.

Can I play past crosswords I missed?

AARP does not maintain an archive of previous daily puzzles on its website. Once a new puzzle publishes, the old one is replaced. If you want to solve older crosswords, you can look for AARP crossword collections in print or search for crossword archives on other sites.

Is there a way to get hints if I'm stuck?

Yes. The puzzle page has buttons to reveal a single letter, reveal an entire word, or check your answers. You can use these as many times as you want — there is no penalty. You can also skip the puzzle and return to it later without losing your progress.

Can I play AARP's crossword on my tablet?

Yes. The crossword works on any device with a web browser, including tablets. You can also read the AARP app on iPad or Android tablets and play there. The experience is the same as on a phone or computer.