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Cryptogram Maker
Make a free printable cryptogram puzzle by encoding a sentence with a one-to-one letter substitution.
0 / 180. Letters are encoded. Digits, spaces, and punctuation stay as written.
Paste a sentence and press Make cryptogram.
This cryptogram maker builds a cryptogram puzzle from a sentence of up to 180 characters. It shuffles the alphabet and gives every letter one code letter, and that same letter always uses the same symbol while a different letter gets a different symbol. Spaces and punctuation stay in place so the words keep their shape, and digits are not encoded. Choose letter blanks, with a line under each code letter, or the code letters alone, then print the worksheet. Show answer reveals the original sentence for the teacher, and the printout hides that answer unless you opt in.
Encode a sentence, then print the puzzle
Paste a sentence of up to 180 characters and press Make cryptogram. The maker shuffles the alphabet and assigns each letter one code letter. That assignment is one-to-one: the same letter always becomes the same symbol, and no symbol stands for two different letters. Spaces and punctuation stay put, so the word shapes remain, and digits such as 12 stay as digits. Letter blanks puts the code letter over a line the student fills in. Code letters shows the encoded sentence on its own.
Students decode a cryptogram by matching repeated symbols, short words, and punctuation. A one-letter word is usually A or I, and a code letter has to stand for the same letter everywhere it appears. Show answer reveals the original sentence on screen and fills the letter blanks and the letter key. Print opens a worksheet with a name line and that key. The answer is left off that page unless Include the answer when printing is checked.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cryptogram puzzle?
A cryptogram puzzle is a sentence written in a substitution cipher. Each letter is replaced by one code letter, and that letter always uses the same symbol. Spaces and punctuation stay where they are, and the student decodes the original words.
How do I make a cryptogram from my own sentence?
Paste the sentence, up to 180 characters, and press Make cryptogram. Each press shuffles a new one-to-one letter code. Within that puzzle, the same letter always encodes the same way. Press it again to encode the same sentence with a different code.
Can I print a cryptogram without the answer?
Yes. Print opens a worksheet of the puzzle and a blank letter key. Show answer only changes the screen. The original sentence is left out of the printout unless you check Include the answer when printing.
Are numbers encoded, and what does an example look like?
Digits stay as they are. In Meet me at room 12 after the bell. the letters are swapped and 12 is still 12. The period stays too. Press Use an example to fill that sentence in and print a short puzzle.