A cryptogram is a captivating puzzle written in code or cipher, often resembling something straight out of a spy movie. It challenges you to decode a jumbled word or phrase by figuring out an unknown letter substitution cipher. But what’s the best way to approach these brain-teasing puzzles?
Most cryptograms use single-transposition keys, where each letter is substituted for another. This turns a simple phrase into apparent gibberish, like:
Example: Ygua ua gpq smtpmr xsm zrsem gpq yp apzbr xetoyphesna.
Fear not! With strategic techniques rooted in English language conventions, you can crack the code systematically.
Step 1: Identify High-Frequency Letters
English has predictable letter frequencies. The most common letters are E, T, A, O, N, followed by I and S.
Actionable Tip:
– Count recurring letters in the cryptogram.
– In the example above, M, R, and S appear 3–4 times—likely substituting for common letters like E or T.
👉 Want to test your skills? Try this cryptogram solver tool
Step 2: Decode Short Words First
Short words (2–3 letters) are easier to guess.
Common Two-Letter Words:
– of, to, in, is, it, as, he, be, by, on, or, at
Common Three-Letter Words:
– and, the, for, his, not, but, you, are, her, had
Hint: In the example, GPQ appears twice—likely a short word like can or how.
Step 3: Spot Double Letters
Only a few letters repeat consecutively in English (e.g., LL, SS, MM).
Example:
– SZZ in a cryptogram probably decodes to all.
Step 4: Leverage Digraphs
Digraphs (two-letter combos) like TH, HE, and AN are frequent.
Top Digraphs:
| Digraph | Example Words |
|———|——————|
| TH | the, that, this |
| ER | her, verb, stern |
| IN | in, tin, spin |
Clue: In the example, YG starts the first word—likely TH (e.g., this).
Step 5: Target Unusual Letters
Rare letters (X, Q, Z) narrow possibilities.
Example:
– XSM might decode to for or you based on context.
👉 Master more puzzles with our word game guide
Step 6: Check for Non-Transposed Letters
Some cryptograms keep letters like A or I unchanged.
Red Flag:
– If GLL appears, L might stand for itself (e.g., all).
Step 7: Recognize Common Phrases
Many cryptograms start with predictable phrases:
– “The best…”
– “Some of the…”
FAQs About Solving Cryptograms
Q: How long does it take to solve a cryptogram?
A: Beginners may take 10–30 minutes; experts solve them in under 5 minutes with practice.
Q: What if the cryptogram has errors?
A: Treat grammatical/spelling mistakes as extra puzzle layers—adjust guesses accordingly.
Q: Are there tools to help solve cryptograms?
A: Yes, but manual solving builds critical thinking. Start with frequency analysis.
Final Answer: The Solved Cryptogram
Using the steps above, the substitution cipher for our example is:
| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
| S V X F R D H G U K J Z N M P O W E A Y I B Q C T L |
Decoded Message:
“This is how anyone can learn how to solve cryptograms.”
Pro Tip: Pair cryptograms with other word puzzles like anagrams to sharpen your skills!