What Is the Multiple Pattern Solver?
A codeword grid assigns a unique number (1–26) to each letter of the alphabet. Once you decode one square, every square with the same number instantly reveals itself across the entire grid. The multiple pattern solver takes advantage of this by letting you search for two words simultaneously — both using the same shared number-to-letter mapping.
If you have a crossing or intersecting pair of answers in your codeword, or two words that share a common revealed letter, this tool narrows the candidates far more aggressively than the single pattern solver can alone.
Multiple Pattern vs. Single Pattern Solver
The single pattern solver finds every word that matches one pattern. It is the right tool when you are working on one answer in isolation — you have a pattern like 1.23.1 and you want to see every word it could be.
The multiple pattern solver applies a shared constraint across both patterns at once. When you enter two patterns, the solver only returns pairs where the same number maps to the same letter in both words. This rules out the large majority of false matches that a single-pattern search would produce.
Use the multiple pattern solver when:
- You have two unsolved words that share at least one number (letter) in common.
- A single-pattern search returns too many candidates to work with.
- You want to confirm that two candidate words are simultaneously valid.
When to Use Each Solver
| Situation | Best solver |
|---|---|
| One word, mostly unknown letters | Single pattern |
| Two words sharing at least one number | Multiple pattern (this page) |
| Single word with most letters already revealed | Single pattern |
| Stuck on two crossing words and single-pattern gives too many options | Multiple pattern (this page) |
How to Enter Two Patterns
Each pattern box works the same way as the single solver:
- Choose the word length using the dropdown.
- Click each letter box and enter either a known letter or a number (1–26) for an unknown position.
- Leave a box empty or use
.for a position where no constraint applies. - Repeat for Pattern 2, using the same numbers where the same letter appears in both words.
- Choose your dictionary level and click Search for Answers.
The solver returns paired results — each row shows one candidate for Pattern 1 and one for Pattern 2, both consistent with the shared number mapping you entered.
How Repeated-Number Logic Works Across Both Patterns
This is the core power of the multiple pattern solver. In a codeword, number 7 always maps to the same letter — whether it appears in a 5-letter word or a 9-letter word. When you use number 7 in Pattern 1 and number 7 in Pattern 2, the solver enforces that both must resolve to the same letter.
This means:
- A number used in both patterns pins a shared letter.
- A number used in only one pattern pins an internal repeat within that word.
- Numbers that appear in neither pattern are unconstrained and do not affect results.
The more numbers the two patterns share, the tighter the constraint and the fewer results you will see — which is exactly what makes the tool useful when you are stuck.
Worked Example
Suppose your codeword grid has revealed that digit 5 = M, and you have two unsolved entries:
- Pattern 1 (8 letters):
12321.54— positions 1 and 5 are the same letter; digit 5 at position 7 links to the shared letter M. - Pattern 2 (10 letters):
5.324....5— digit 5 at positions 1 and 10 are both M (known).
Enter 12321.54 in Pattern 1 and 5.324....5 in Pattern 2. The solver applies the shared number constraint across both. One valid pair it returns is catacomb : metabolism — both words are consistent with the same number-to-letter mapping.
Compare that to running the two patterns separately: the single solver returns many candidates for each. The multiple pattern solver cuts that down to only the pairs that actually work together in the same grid.
Common Mistakes
- Using different numbers when the same letter appears in both words
- If letter C appears in both your words, both patterns must use the same number for C. Mixing up numbers is the most common reason results look wrong or come back empty.
- Leaving both patterns nearly empty
- The solver needs at least a few constraints to return a manageable result set. If both patterns are all dots, you will get an unworkably large number of pairs. Add whatever letters or repeats you already know.
- Choosing the wrong word length
- Count the squares carefully in your grid before selecting the length. Off-by-one errors will return no results even when valid answers exist.
- Expecting the same result as the single solver
- The multiple pattern solver enforces cross-word constraints. If your two patterns do not share any numbers, the results will be the same as running two independent searches — but the solver still works and is valid for that case.
Dictionary Choice
The solver offers three dictionary levels:
- Pocket (20k words) — common everyday vocabulary. Good for quick confirmation of an obvious answer.
- Original (111k words) — a broad general dictionary. The recommended starting point for most puzzles.
- Big (362k words) — includes less common words, archaic terms, and specialist vocabulary. Use this if Original returns no results and you are confident in your pattern.
Start with Original. If you get no results, try Big before questioning your pattern — British codewords in particular often use less common words that Original may not include.