This web browser is not supported. Use Chrome, Edge, Safari, or Firefox for best results.

Fewest distinct letters used

These puzzles are the opposites of pangrams, using as few letters as possible.

Top constructors and grids:

Bruce Haight David J. Kahn Peter Gordon Joe Krozel Steven Riley Paul Hunsberger Patrick Merrell Patrick Berry Gary J. Whitehead Janet R. Bender Randolph Ross
Tue 4/18/20177
SEESETTELASS
TILTREARSARIA
AREAASSAIRATS
REALISTSTILES
ETESASEA
ALTAIRALISTER
SARISRITESLAT
STIRSELESRITA
TETSTEEREATER
RETAILSATREST
ELLSESAI
ISRAELSALTIER
RIISETATSIRAE
ELLERELEEEASE
STERLESTSSTS
Tue 4/14/20158
GAGAAIRESTEES
AGESGRETARATE
THATSGREATISHE
EARHIESTASTER
SIEGTITTERS
STRESSSIGHER
HEATHSETHSEEG
ARTIEIGHTAGRI
HATRAREESSGTS
ERASERGETSET
STREETSTITI
TERESAHARTAHS
ERISSTARTERSET
TREEIRISHATRA
SIRSAEGISGREG
Wed 12/21/200510
MARATCAROMATM
ATARIAROARROI
COMICACTORSMOM
ROILLAOSCCCLI
OTSSMOOTRAH
TOACAMARO
ASSOCIMHOTIOS
ACHRISTMASCAROL
HOIATOMSHASTO
STROLLAIR
TLCSHALTCAL
TOTALMASTCALI
ARAALASTAIRSIM
TAISOLTIMACAO
ALLSOLARAMASS
Tue 6/5/200110
ALSOESTAESSEN
LOITERERSENURE
AURORAAUSTRALIS
STEERLENORTES
OASAREA
SILLSTATINEE
ATNOTOOTLEAST
RUSSIANROULETTE
TNUTSTOILREES
STLESOSNOOSE
ASEAOAR
ALTELENAALLIN
TRINITROTOLUENE
ROOSTTEENSIEST
ANNESELSESSTS
Tue 1/16/200112
PALMEAPEAMAN
ELIELEMILLILI
ALLAHNAPAALOE
LILLIANHELLMAN
EEEPULLAONE
MAUIIWO
WHEELONOKEEL
WEEWILLIEWINKIE
WELLAOLKEENE
EMOPHEW
PHILKALEPAL
HONOLULUHAWAII
IOWAAPINLEMON
ANILMONKMAPLE
NOELENEALAIN

Here's the complete list of all 40 Modern Era puzzles using fewer than 19 letters:

DateAuthorUsedThese letters
Tue Apr 18, 2017Bruce Haight7AEILRST
Tue Apr 14, 2015Bruce Haight8AEGHIRST
Wed Dec 21, 2005David J. Kahn10ACHILMORST
Tue Jun 5, 2001Peter Gordon10AEILNORSTU
Tue Jan 16, 2001Peter Gordon12AEHIKLMNOPUW
Tue Dec 23, 2008Joe Krozel13ADEILMNOPRSTV
Tue Jun 19, 2012Steve Riley15BCDGHKLMNOPRSTW
Tue Mar 8, 2011Paul Hunsberger15ABCDEFGQRSTVWXZ
Thu Dec 15, 2005Patrick Merrell15ABCDEFGQRSTVWXZ
Tue Jun 6, 2023Daniel Jaret16ACDEGILMNOPRSTUV
Thu Mar 21, 2002Patrick Berry16ABCDFGHKLMNPRSTW
Sat Apr 28, 2012Gary J. Whitehead17ACDEFHIKLMNOPRSTU
Tue Feb 9, 1999Janet R. Bender17BCDEFGHKLMNPRSTVW
Sat Jan 24, 1998Randolph Ross17ABCDEGHILMNOPRSTU
Wed Jan 9, 2019Trenton Charlson18BCDFGHIKLMNPRSTWXZ
Tue Aug 2, 2016Paula Gamache18ABCEFGHILMNOPRSTUY
Tue Jun 23, 2015Jules P. Markey18ABCDEGHILMNOPRSTUY
Wed Apr 8, 2015Zhouqin Burnikel18ABCDEGHILMNOPRSTUW
Fri Jun 8, 2012Martin Ashwood-Smith18ABCDEGHILMNOPRSTUV
Wed Aug 3, 2011Paul Guttormsson18ADEFGHILMNOPRSTUVY
Wed Feb 2, 2011Peter A. Collins18ABCDEGHIJLMNOPRSTU
Sat Dec 22, 2007Harvey Estes18ABCDEGHILMNOPRSTUY
Sat Jan 20, 2007Harvey Estes18ABCDEGIKLMNOPRSTUW
Fri May 26, 2006Mike Torch18ABCDEFGHILMNOPRSTU
Fri Jan 21, 2005Frank Longo18ACDEFGHILMNOPRSTUV
Sat Jun 21, 2003Dana Motley18ABCDEHIKLMNOPRSTUY
Sat Aug 24, 2002Chuck Menning18ABCDEGHILMNOPRSTUV
Sat Jul 27, 2002Robert H. Wolfe18ABCDEGIKLMNOPRSTUV
Fri Dec 29, 2000David J. Kahn18ABCDEGHIKLMNOPRSTW
Mon Oct 30, 2000Gregory E. Paul18ABCDEGHILMNOPRSTUY
Fri Feb 18, 2000Manny Nosowsky18ACDEFGHILMNOPRSTUW
Thu Aug 21, 1997Martin Ashwood-Smith18ABCDEFGHILNOPRSTUV
Sat Dec 28, 1996N. Joline18ACDEGIJLMNOPRSTUVY
Fri Oct 11, 1996F. Longo18ACDEGHIKLMNOPRSTVY
Mon Dec 4, 1995Sidney L. Robbins18ABCDEHIKLMNOPRSTUW
Sat Oct 7, 1995Frank A. Longo18ABCDEGHILMNOPRSTUY
Sat May 13, 1995Nancy Joline18ABCDEGHILMNOPRSTUY
Wed Apr 20, 1994Walter Webb18ACDEFGILMNOPRSTUVY
Sun Feb 13, 1994Cathy Millhauser18BCDEFGHKLMNPRSTVWX
Fri Nov 26, 1993Nancy A. Corbett18ABCDEGHILMNOPRSTUV

Pre-Shortz puzzles

Fewer than 18 letters used for pre-Shortz:

DateAuthorEditorUsedThese letters
Thu Jan 11, 1990Jeanette K. BrillMaleska16ABCDEGILMNOPRSTU
Mon Mar 21, 1988Frank GearyMaleska16ACDEGHILMNOPRSTU
Fri May 3, 1974Jack WherryWeng16ABDEGHIKLNORSTUY
Mon Jun 7, 1993Bill PolvogtMaleska17ACDEGHILMNOPRSTUV
Sat May 16, 1992Bernard MerenMaleska17ACDEGHILMNOPRSTUV
Thu Nov 7, 1991Margaret W. HuskeyMaleska17ABCDEGHILMNOPRSTY
Sat Aug 12, 1989Bernard MerenMaleska17ACDEGILMNOPRSTUWY
Wed Sep 14, 1988Melvin KenworthyMaleska17ABCDEGHILMNOPRSTU
Sat Jul 16, 1988Joe ClonickMaleska17ABCDGHKLMNPRSTWYZ
Thu Sep 3, 1987William S. McIlrathMaleska17ABCDEHILMNOPRSTUV
Fri Jul 5, 1985Louis SabinMaleska17ABCDEHILMNOPRSTVY
Mon Aug 6, 1984Arthur W. PalmerMaleska17ABCDEFGHILMNOPRST
Thu Mar 22, 1984Rhonda KrausMaleska17ACDEHILMNOPRSTUWY
Tue Dec 14, 1982Nancy McCarthyMaleska17ACDEFGHILMNOPRSTV
Tue Oct 6, 1981Judson G. TrentMaleska17ACDEFGHILMNOPRSTU
Sat Aug 9, 1980Jack L. SteinhardtMaleska17ABCDEGILMNOPRSTVY
Sat Oct 6, 1973UnknownWeng17ABCDEGHILMNOPRSTU
Sat Jul 15, 1972UnknownWeng17ACDEGHILMNOPRSTUV
Thu Mar 19, 1970UnknownWeng17ABCDEFILMNOPRSTUV
Mon Sep 20, 1965UnknownFarrar17ADEFGHILMNOPRSTUY
Wed Jul 23, 1958W. E. JonesFarrar17ABCDEGHILMNOPRSTY
Tue Sep 10, 1957H. L. RisteenFarrar17ABCDEGILMNOPRSTUV
XWord Info Home
XWord Info © 2007-2024, Jim Horne
143 ms