HOW TO SOLVE CRYPTOGRAMS

These instructions will help you become an expert in solving cryptograms.

But it will take practice and patience.

FROM….

TO …

Look for common letters and letter combinations

The most common letters in the English language are E, T, A, O, and N. I and S are a close second. So, the first step to solving the puzzle is to look at what letters occur most often in the above gibberish, and work with them.

Here are some additional techniques to help you start:

  1. Identify one-letter words, usually A or I, and use them to deduce other letters.

  2. Study letter frequency and look for the most commonly used letters like E, T, A, O, I, N, S, H, R, D, and L.

  3. Use your knowledge of spelling to narrow down possibilities.

  4. Consider two-letter words and their pattern.

  5. Look for contractions after an apostrophe, such as 's, 'd, 'll, 're, 've, 'm, 'em, and singin'.

  6. Observe repeating letter patterns, such as DE, DIS, MIS, OVER, PRE, RE, and UN, and CK, ND, ING, ED, TION, EN, AL, and EST.

  7. Spot double letters, especially in shorter words, like EE and OO for vowels, and most consonants can be doubled.

  8. Keep track of unused letters, as each letter can only represent one thing.

  9. Use Cryptogram Lists, which are puzzles of related items presented in alphabetical order to deduce the letters.

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