Games Like Letter Boxed - Top 10 Alternatives

Are you a big fan of NYT Letter Boxed and want to explore more options like this puzzle? If so, you are just like me. I am a daily addict of the Letter Boxed puzzle and have been playing without missing one since 2022. Naturally, I was curious to explore more games like Letter Boxed.

Over time, I kept adding its alternatives to my list. Now, I have almost 10 games that can be played as a Letter Boxed alternative any day. In this article, I will share all of these games—so if you’re interested, you can definitely give them a try.

10 Letter Boxed Puzzle Alternatives

Here’s a list of games that are closely related to Letter Boxed in terms of wordplay, puzzle-solving, and pattern creation.

1. Spelling Bee (NYT)

The first puzzle I will include on this list is the Spelling Bee. It is also featured at the New York Times Games, so it is a sibling game of Letter Boxed. In this puzzle, you have 7 letters arranged in a honeycomb shape. Due to the honeycomb-type structure, it is called a Spelling Bee. One letter is centralized while the other 6 are arranged around it.

The gameplay challenges you to use the centralized letter in each and every word. The word you are going to make must be at least four letters. The game allows you to use the same letter more than once in a word.

Unlike Letter Boxed, Spelling Bee has point rewards. For a 4-letter word, you get 1 point, while you will get 1 point for each letter in words of more than four letters. You have to make one “pangram” in which all 7 letters in the puzzle are used.

Based on the points, Spelling Bee allocates you a rank. These ranks are:

Beginner
Good Start
Nice
Great
Amazing
Genius (top rank)

2. Wordscapes

The next game I will include on this list is Wordscapes. This puzzle features a crossword-style gameplay with modern word search mechanics.

In this puzzle, you are given a circle of random letters, and your task is to form words that fill the crossword grid. You have to think creatively to find possible words that fit the puzzle. The puzzle keeps turning more difficult as you keep moving forward.

Wordscapes is available offline, and you can enjoy hundreds of puzzles without an internet connection. However, it is not daily-based; rather, it is level-based.

3. Word Wheel / Word Wheel Puzzle

Word Wheel is the 3rd best puzzle that is like the Letter Boxed game. Its gameplay and format are quite similar to the Spelling Bee game. Likewise, Spelling Bee, Word Wheel give you 9 letters arranged in a wheel. While one letter is fixed in the circle, you have to include this letter in every word you create.

You have to create as many words as possible using them. The words must be at least four letters long, and you cannot repeat the same word. Some versions of the Word Wheel also feature a nine-letter pangram that uses all the letters once.

Unlike Spelling Bee, Word Wheel is more commonly found in newspapers and magazines, especially in the UK, but mobile and web versions are available too.

4. SpellTower

SpellTower is a word puzzle that gives you the feel of a classic word search with a Tetris-like game display. It gives you a grid of letters, and you have to form valid words by connecting the adjacent tiles. When you succeed in making the word, the used letters disappear and the tiles above fall down. It works like a Tetris game.

The new letters keep rising from the bottom of the screen, and you have to keep making the words to prevent the screen from filling up. If you fail in creating more words, letters will ultimately touch the top of the screen, and the game ends.

SpellTower gameplay is fast-paced and offers you multiple game modes, such as tower mode, puzzle mode, and zen mode. Based on your playing style, you can choose any mode to play.

5. Typeshift

TypeShift is a word puzzle designed by Zach Gage, who is known for creating clever and minimalistic word games. It is available for both Android and iOS users.

This puzzle has letters that are aligned in vertical columns. You can shift each column up or down and form words in the central row. You have to find all the words that are hidden within the puzzle.

The puzzle challenges you to use every letter at least once. If you find it difficult to solve any word, you can use the hint option, which will help with the placement of one letter in your next word. It helps you guess words you can make using the other letters.

6. Waffle

Waffle comes next on my list of puzzles. It is a square grid that looks like a crossword, but here, you have to swipe the letter tiles to find the words. It is available to play online without any need for an app or subscription.

The puzzle offers you a 5×5 grid where some letters are placed incorrectly. Your task is to swipe the letters up, down, left, or right with other letters until all the horizontal and vertical words are correctly formed.

It might sound easy to play Waffle, but the game offers you a limited number of moves to solve the puzzle. A 90-second limited span adds an extra layer of challenge. Make fewer swipes to solve the puzzle and get better scores.

It is a daily-based puzzle and features a new challenge every day. Its gameplay is easy yet engaging. You need clever attention and strong vocabulary to find the solutions while time is running out.

7. Knotwords

Knotwords is another great alternative to Letter Boxed. It’s a minimalist and elegant crossword-style word puzzle. It gives you classic word game vibes. It is available for both Android and iOS users.

In this puzzle, the letters are scattered in a grid that is divided into irregular sections. You need to arrange these letters to create a meaningful word both across and down. There are no hints and clues to solve it like traditional crosswords. Instead, you can use logic and deduction to find where each letter fits.

8. WordBrain

WordBrain is the next one on the list. This puzzle is available for Android and iOS users and works offline. Its offline features make it convenient to access anytime for a mental break.

WordBrain is a grid-based word search puzzle in which you can find hidden words by swiping adjacent letters. Once you find the word, the letters collapse to make room for new arrangements. As you progress, you have to make complex puzzle words. You will succeed when you find all the words in the correct order. The puzzle will keep getting harder and harder as you move from one level to another.

9. Bonza Word Puzzle

Bonza Word Puzzle is the next one I will include on this list. It is a unique combination of a crossword, a jigsaw, and a word search puzzle gameplay. It is available for both Android and iOS users. It features daily challenges and curated puzzle packs to keep the game fresh and engaging.

Bonza provides you with scattered letters along with a clue. You have to arrange the letter tiles to create a meaningful word based on the clue. The real challenge is to figure out how to connect these letters to fit both logically and thematically.

10. Lexica

The last puzzle that I can play as a Letter Boxed alternative is Lexica. It is available online as a web version, with no need for an app or sign-up.

In Lexica, you have to find as many words as possible from the jumbled letters. You will get a grid of randomly filled letters. You need to create valid words by connecting the adjacent letters. However, in this puzzle, you can connect letters in any direction compared to the others.

The game has a point system. You can earn more points by creating longer words and vice versa. The timer adds thrill and encourages you to think fast before the time runs out. It is a perfect game if you enjoy playing quick and skill-based word puzzles.

Conclusion

So, now you have plenty of Letter Boxed alternative games. These games are like a NYT puzzle that offers a unique twist, whether it’s tile swapping, grid searching, or word formation. You will never run out of daily word puzzles. You can play one after another. Go ahead and give a try to each one. Don’t forget to comment on which puzzle you liked the most.