Cryptogram Solving Tips

Cryptograms are solved by patterns, not by brute force. New? See the rules.

1. The tiny words

A one-letter word is A or I. Two-letter words are mostly OF, TO, IN, IS, IT, AS, AT, BE, OR, AN. A repeated three-letter word is often THE or AND.

2. Apostrophes

'T (don't, can't) and 'S are the usual suspects; N'T gives you three letters at once.

3. Frequency

E is the most common letter, then T, A, O, I, N. The most frequent cipher letter is probably E, especially if it often ends words.

4. Doubles

Double letters are usually LL, SS, EE, OO, TT. A double at the end of a short word is probably LL or SS.

5. Patterns

Words like THAT (1-2-3-1) and NEVER (1-2-3-2-4) have a shape. A long word ending in the same two letters often ends in -LY; a frequent three-letter ending is -ING.

6. Read it aloud

Once a third of the letters are in, read the text with gaps; the brain fills proverbs faster than any table.

The hint fixes a wrong letter first, then reveals the cipher letter that appears most often.

Last updated 2026-10-21