The Boston Globe Align
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How to play The Boston Globe Align
Your objective is to align the grid so every row and every column spells a valid English word. To swap tiles, select a white circular letter tile, drag it over another tile, and release. The two letters will switch places.
Dark orange letters are locked in place and cannot be moved, serving as hints to guide your first moves.
Some tiles contain multiple letters; always read them left to right, even for vertical words.
Solving the Puzzle
When you correctly complete a word, all of its tiles lock into place, confirming you got it right. Solve all ten words and the entire grid locks. You can aim to finish in the fastest time, use the fewest swaps, or enjoy working through both at your own pace.
Need a Hint?
Use the Hint button at the top of the board to reveal one unsolved word. Once you place it correctly on the grid, the Hint button becomes available again. Use as many hints as you need; there is no penalty.
This game is operated by Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC. You can read their privacy policy here and terms of service here.
About The Boston Globe Align
Align is a daily word puzzle where you swap letter tiles to make every row and column in a 5×5 grid spell a valid English word. The goal is to rearrange the board so that all 10 words are correctly formed, both horizontally and vertically.
Every Align puzzle starts with a few letters already locked in place. These fixed tiles act as built-in clues to help you work out the full solution. Only the white circular tiles can be moved. Drag one over another and release to swap them.
Some tiles hold more than one letter. Always read their letters left to right, even when used vertically. It may take a moment to adjust, but this opens up new ways to think through the puzzle.
Why Align Is Perfect for Word Game Fans
Align Boston Globe fans often compare it to crossword puzzles, but here you physically rearrange the grid rather than filling in blanks. Whether you take it slow or push for your personal best, there is always something new to discover.
Looking for more daily brain workouts? In addition to Align, try Hurdle or explore Arkadium’s full collection of free word games for your next challenge. From puzzles that sharpen your vocabulary to games that test your logic, there is something for every mood.
About the Creators
Align was created by crossword constructor Brendan Emmett Quigley and developer Ben Gottlieb. The game first appeared on The Boston Globe’s games page, where it became an instant hit with fans of spelling and logic games.
Now you can play The Boston Globe Align for free in your browser. No download required.
This game is operated by Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC. You can read their privacy policy here and terms of service here.