Indicator Detector
Paste any cryptic crossword or Parseword clue below. The detector scans for indicator words — signal words that tell you which transform type (anagram, container, deletion, etc.) is being used — and highlights them in the clue text.
Indicator words are the signposts in a cryptic clue that tell you what type of wordplay is at work. Words like “broken” or “mixed” signal an anagram, “holding” or “involving” point to a container clue, and “initially” or “first” suggest a selection. Learning to spot these words is the single biggest shortcut to cracking cryptic clues.
Copy and paste any of these into the detector above to see it in action:
- “Obvious affair involving part of the psyche” — Container indicator: "involving"
- “Mixed spice makes heroic tales” — Anagram indicator: "mixed"
- “Taxi reduced by one letter” — Deletion indicator: "reduced"
- “Faces first embarrassing memory” — Selection indicator: "first"