Quick SNITCH

A quantitative guide to the degree of difficulty of the Times Quick Cryptic Crossword

Solver Types and Neutrino Detection

Why solver classification matters

The SNITCH is calculated from Reference Solvers: club solvers whose results give a reliable measure of crossword difficulty. Solvers are classified automatically so that genuine solving behaviour contributes to the calculation, while other solving styles remain visible without distorting the statistics.

Non-reference solvers can still appear in tables and puzzle pages. Their results are simply excluded from the daily SNITCH calculation unless they meet the Reference Solver criteria.

What is a Neutrino?

Neutrino - A person who solves the puzzle elsewhere and then types the answers into the Crossword Club as rapidly as possible. This can produce leaderboard times that do not represent normal solving. (Shortened from the Times for the Times glossary definition.)

Genuine solvers usually take longer on difficult puzzles than on easy ones. Neutrinos tend to record similarly fast times regardless of puzzle difficulty because they are typing answers they already know. This difference is the central idea behind the detector.

How the detector works

The scatter plot below compares each solver's average solving time with their alignment to SNITCH difficulty rankings. Each point is one solver. The x-axis shows average solving time, and the y-axis shows how closely that solver's own ordering of puzzle difficulty agrees with the community-based SNITCH ordering.

Genuine solvers tend to cluster higher on the chart because they usually find the same puzzles easy or difficult as the wider solving community. Classic Neutrinos cluster toward the lower-left because their very fast times show little relationship to puzzle difficulty. Hover over a point to see the solver name.

Classification rules

The classifier uses average solving time and SNITCH alignment together. Very fast solvers need strong alignment before being accepted as Reference Solvers. Low alignment indicates Neutrino behaviour, especially when average solving times are unusually short.

Current settings for this SNITCH:

  • Fast-solver boundary: under 4.3 minutes average solving time.
  • Fast solvers need alignment of at least 0.5 to become Reference Solvers.
  • Solvers below 0.25 alignment are classified as Neutrinos unless another configured rule applies.
  • Other Reference Solvers need alignment of at least 0.4 and an average below 21.7 minutes.

Borderline cases become Tracked rather than Reference. Slower solvers with poor alignment are generally unsuitable as Reference Solvers even when they are not classic Neutrinos.

Solver categories

Category Used in SNITCH? Description
Reference Yes Reliable solvers whose results contribute to the SNITCH calculation.
Tracked No Solvers whose results are displayed but not used in calculating the SNITCH.
Neutrino No Solvers whose recorded times are inconsistent with normal solving behaviour.
Blog Solver No Solving times reported via the Times for the Times blog.

Current solver classifications

The chart below shows the same style of plot using each solver's current classification. These classifications are refreshed when the solver update is run.

Blog Solvers

Times reported on the Times for the Times blog can be tracked where the blogger has opted in. Use the "Blog Solver" button on crossword solving-time pages for full details.

  • Preferred formats are "mm:ss" or "x minutes" in the comment title or at the start of the comment.
  • Report errors as "n errors" near the time, for example "38:30, 0 errors".
  • If only a time is given, the result is treated as error-free unless the comment mentions DNF, pink squares, or similar.
  • Only the first main comment for each blogger is used; replies and later comments are ignored.

SNITCH alignment factor

The SNITCH alignment score measures whether a solver tends to find the same crosswords easy and difficult as the rest of the community. It is calculated using Spearman rank correlation between the solver's own ranking of puzzle difficulty and the SNITCH ranking for the same puzzles.

A score of 1 means almost perfect agreement. A score near 0 means there is no consistent relationship between the order of the solver's results and the SNITCH difficulty order.

For example, Verlaine has results as shown in the chart below. Easier puzzles according to the SNITCH are on the left of the x-axis, harder ones on the right. The individual results are noisy, but the easier SNITCH puzzles tend to be among Verlaine's easier results and the harder puzzles tend to be among his harder results. An alignment of around 0.7 is very typical of a real reference solver like Verlaine.

In contrast, the solving times for the solver below don't depend on whether the SNITCH sees the crossword as easy or hard. Because the solver's own ranking of puzzle difficulty does not follow the SNITCH ranking, the Spearman correlation is low.

Solving times for club members

The table below shows crossword club solvers who have submitted more than 20 solutions in the six months to the end of June 2026. Only Monday-to-Friday, error-free crosswords are considered. And only solvers with an average solving time of less than 60 minutes are included. The non-Neutrino solvers are ranked by that average solving time. The table also indicates the solver's status, including whether they are Reference solvers for calculation of the daily SNITCH.

Rank Solver Status - Sep 2023 Current Status Average Time SNITCH Correlation
Wee Davie new_solver neutrino 01:34 0.37
niqo new_solver neutrino 01:56 0.23
1 Paul Gilbert reference reference 02:09 0.56
2 cmjhutton reference reference 02:12 0.7
3 lili tracked reference 02:13 0.7
auchiedollie tracked neutrino 02:26 0.59
Margaut tracked neutrino 02:28 0.05
4 verlaine reference reference 02:33 0.68
5 Jason reference reference 02:35 0.6
6 Magoo tracked reference 02:37 0.66
7 mistigris reference reference 02:38 0.62
michaelbell53 reference neutrino 02:40 0.07
8 aphis99 reference reference 02:42 0.74
9 hilarym reference reference 02:51 0.64
10 HoneyBadger new_solver reference 02:54 0.6
11 Askival new_solver reference 03:08 0.6
12 Amoeba89 new_solver reference 03:13 0.6
13 Flimmy flammy reference reference 03:15 0.69
14 Ciolf new_solver reference 03:19 0.63
15 Deane Short new_solver reference 03:21 0.58
16 markdobell reference reference 03:25 0.64
17 philjordan1147 reference reference 03:29 0.45
18 Heyesey reference reference 03:30 0.62
19 Wizard of Aus new_solver reference 03:30 0.7
20 richard reference reference 03:34 0.59
susan new_solver neutrino 03:38 0.02
21 fshephe reference tracked 03:46 0.57
22 Sheapey tracked reference 03:46 0.83
23 Aybee new_solver reference 03:51 0.65
24 SimonAnthony tracked reference 03:52 0.63
25 glheard reference reference 03:55 0.66
MelindaE tracked neutrino 03:55 0.39
26 Kinghedger reference reference 03:57 0.66
Crypton new_solver neutrino 03:59 0.16
27 morleyterrier new_solver reference 04:03 0.58
28 EricK new_solver reference 04:03 0.68
Balbec tracked neutrino 04:05 0.49
29 Topical Tim reference reference 04:08 0.61
30 MikeOsborneMason new_solver reference 04:09 0.66
31 clarkeybaby new_solver reference 04:11 0.53
32 Umpire reference reference 04:11 0.63
33 lickert reference reference 04:23 0.56
Freemers1968 new_solver neutrino 04:25 0.63
34 cdb_100 new_solver reference 04:28 0.72
35 tilbee reference reference 04:29 0.77
36 MK76 reference reference 04:34 0.6
37 canismiser reference reference 04:35 0.71
38 Liari reference reference 04:35 0.55
39 JayEm new_solver reference 04:36 0.49
40 rrricharrrd new_solver reference 04:36 0.65
41 alexh reference reference 04:37 0.64
42 andrewlake reference reference 04:38 0.69
43 dr.shred new_solver reference 04:38 0.65
44 babka new_solver reference 04:39 0.74
45 March reference reference 04:40 0.66
istorey new_solver neutrino 04:40 0.17
46 chindit reference reference 04:41 0.65
47 Morphosis new_solver reference 04:43 0.41
48 daulbs reference reference 04:43 0.6
49 Jon Delfin tracked reference 04:43 0.64
50 wwalker50 reference reference 04:43 0.71
51 jflo88 new_solver reference 04:44 0.61
52 CentralLine new_solver reference 04:44 0.73
alisonm74 new_solver neutrino 04:45 0.65
53 tiggis reference reference 04:47 0.5
54 chrismarch tracked reference 04:48 0.67
55 fishernick79 tracked reference 04:49 0.59
56 toots new_solver reference 04:49 0.67
57 Tom Stubbs reference reference 04:49 0.49
58 d.middleton reference reference 04:50 0.61
59 LouWeed reference reference 04:51 0.67
lucyg43484 reference neutrino 04:53 0.69
John Walsh tracked neutrino 04:53 0.35
60 Riche reference reference 04:53 0.53
61 Honggui reference reference 04:54 0.62
62 Anomalospiza new_solver reference 04:54 0.64
63 The Dabbler tracked reference 04:55 0.53
64 Vannyx new_solver reference 04:57 0.62
65 chriswords tracked reference 04:58 0.68
66 Aly Duncan reference reference 04:59 0.66
67 neilr reference reference 05:00 0.55
68 benbush new_solver reference 05:00 0.64
69 andy reference reference 05:01 0.63
70 Johninterred new_solver blog_solver 05:03 0.63
71 Carol reference reference 05:05 0.82
72 Zander reference reference 05:06 0.65
73 Paul Bacon tracked reference 05:07 0.3
74 ram80 new_solver reference 05:08 0.57
75 Kate and John new_solver tracked 05:09 0.33
76 trux reference reference 05:10 0.6
77 Paul Hammond reference reference 05:15 0.61
78 Rabbitoh reference reference 05:15 0.54
79 Squallaby reference reference 05:16 0.47
80 AndyKnott321 new_solver reference 05:17 0.63
81 Ed freshpot reference reference 05:19 0.63
82 footballblue reference tracked 05:20 0.39
83 Streaky Bacon new_solver reference 05:21 0.65
84 lyndaw new_solver reference 05:23 0.66
85 ChuckB reference reference 05:23 0.62
86 chriswestontour new_solver reference 05:23 0.55
87 Encota new_solver reference 05:24 0.6
88 Onelug new_solver reference 05:29 0.63
89 nina s reference reference 05:33 0.47
90 cmcnsmith reference reference 05:33 0.38
91 Tibthorpe reference reference 05:33 0.61
92 Roscoe reference reference 05:35 0.5
93 Mike C new_solver reference 05:35 0.68
94 7dPenguin reference reference 05:37 0.55
95 KET reference reference 05:37 0.73
96 Looch reference reference 05:37 0.69
97 Penfold_61 reference reference 05:40 0.43
98 julian_w reference reference 05:41 0.66
99 Finzi reference reference 05:41 0.52
100 rob.rolfe42 new_solver reference 05:42 0.62
101 esmeralda reference reference 05:42 0.68
102 SBQuick new_solver reference 05:42 0.69
103 inca1 new_solver reference 05:44 0.59
104 ajcauk1 tracked reference 05:45 0.68
105 wolfcloud new_solver reference 05:45 0.7
106 MrChumley reference reference 05:46 0.68
GeorgeTz reference neutrino 05:46 0.62
107 KarenR new_solver reference 05:48 0.58
108 scrabbler reference reference 05:50 0.77
109 andrewfeist96 new_solver tracked 05:52 0.73
110 Crossiant reference reference 05:53 0.79
111 mjsaunders9 new_solver reference 05:55 0.59
112 thewanderingeditor new_solver reference 06:02 0.85
113 tom.healey new_solver reference 06:06 0.66
114 hazyfantazee new_solver reference 06:06 0.7
115 hopkinb reference reference 06:08 0.73
116 Dzhigit reference reference 06:10 0.58
117 Tudds reference reference 06:10 0.65
118 Gaius new_solver reference 06:10 0.54
119 Jamie Fox new_solver reference 06:11 0.53
120 james150374 new_solver reference 06:12 0.72
121 hofzinser new_solver tracked 06:12 0.34
122 mw7000 reference tracked 06:16 0.39
123 Curarist tracked reference 06:17 0.74
124 Michael Dove reference tracked 06:18 0.37
125 Neb new_solver reference 06:21 0.82
126 Aldus new_solver reference 06:21 0.64
127 Dan Wroe new_solver reference 06:22 0.8
128 paul.whitehouse69 reference reference 06:23 0.7
129 membership new_solver reference 06:25 0.6
130 cognominative new_solver reference 06:26 0.6
131 PGooden reference reference 06:27 0.64
132 jimwetzler reference reference 06:30 0.52
133 Kalakuta72 reference reference 06:32 0.61
134 as584 new_solver reference 06:32 0.8
135 Barrels new_solver reference 06:33 0.71
136 James P reference reference 06:36 0.77
137 gnome123 new_solver reference 06:44 0.34
138 jon reference reference 06:44 0.8
139 Shabbo reference reference 06:44 0.7
140 Nangle reference reference 06:46 0.65
141 GMcD reference reference 06:49 0.65
KenD51 reference neutrino 06:50 0.55
142 Rosron reference reference 06:51 0.59
143 tds tracked reference 06:54 0.72
144 raincloud reference reference 06:55 0.69
145 Alfaracerob new_solver reference 06:58 0.63
146 smalley552 tracked reference 06:58 0.55
147 LiamD new_solver reference 07:00 0.65
148 Kevin Gregg reference reference 07:01 0.49
149 Adrian Cobb new_solver reference 07:01 0.43
150 The Caffeine Kid new_solver reference 07:01 0.63
151 Monkos tracked reference 07:01 0.89
152 Gussie reference reference 07:03 0.89
153 Dvynys reference reference 07:03 0.64
154 Doyler tracked reference 07:04 0.56
155 uvofiz reference reference 07:05 0.66
156 JPTC new_solver reference 07:05 0.65
157 earlylight reference reference 07:06 0.74
158 wimpoldo new_solver reference 07:09 0.37
159 cerid new_solver reference 07:10 0.71
160 metagloria new_solver reference 07:10 0.57
161 janesa new_solver reference 07:10 0.52
162 intentional rounding new_solver reference 07:15 0.53
163 Willie F new_solver reference 07:15 0.65
164 Maitresse new_solver reference 07:17 0.75
165 Rosey6 new_solver reference 07:17 0.9
166 endafk reference reference 07:17 0.59
167 Puzzleplease reference reference 07:20 0.7
168 Templar Redux reference reference 07:21 0.68
169 phatman new_solver reference 07:22 0.64
170 Corymbia reference reference 07:22 0.71
171 robinh reference reference 07:23 0.66
172 ilan reference reference 07:23 0.57
173 f4rch new_solver reference 07:24 0.53
174 Rozz tracked reference 07:26 0.79
175 mjwiseman tracked reference 07:26 0.76
176 brian.richards1 new_solver reference 07:27 0.71
177 1234 reference reference 07:28 0.63
178 Sheen reference reference 07:28 0.84
179 Desdeeloeste new_solver reference 07:29 0.76
180 zuckylee new_solver reference 07:30 0.89
181 plett11 reference reference 07:34 0.76
182 Mike Harper reference reference 07:34 0.69
183 TomHerbert reference reference 07:35 0.62
184 DamienKnapma new_solver reference 07:36 0.55
185 Solving slo mo new_solver reference 07:37 0.58
186 DianeRS reference reference 07:40 0.66
187 JanieP new_solver reference 07:41 0.74
188 mich_punk new_solver reference 07:42 0.63
189 ChrisBrea reference reference 07:44 0.74
john.brassey tracked neutrino 07:47 0.49
190 docg tracked reference 07:47 0.56
191 Cuppa378 tracked reference 07:49 0.7
192 nigel reference reference 07:51 0.53
193 Married Admirer new_solver reference 07:55 0.83
puzzled1 tracked neutrino 08:02 0.57
194 ulaca reference reference 08:02 0.61
195 crucihacker new_solver reference 08:06 0.63
196 jaraab reference reference 08:06 0.67
197 feline new_solver reference 08:07 0.5
198 hemantyd new_solver reference 08:11 0.61
199 johndun reference reference 08:11 0.57
200 Dr_Bob tracked reference 08:13 0.46
201 RPY tracked tracked 08:14 0.37
202 mattindoha reference reference 08:15 0.65
203 CrystalPip tracked reference 08:16 0.7
204 vefatica tracked reference 08:19 0.41
205 m5harp reference reference 08:21 0.53
206 anchisiades new_solver reference 08:22 0.68
207 jemcd33 tracked reference 08:25 0.67
208 Jeeves tracked reference 08:25 0.81
209 John Arnold reference reference 08:26 0.67
210 Mudge new_solver reference 08:27 0.52
211 banni-wae new_solver reference 08:28 0.54
212 Joseph T new_solver reference 08:28 0.44
213 E Bradford tracked reference 08:30 0.43
214 Edprof reference reference 08:33 0.51
215 Manuel1 tracked reference 08:34 0.59
216 Eyejaybeee tracked tracked 08:40 0.38
217 johnusa new_solver reference 08:43 0.56
218 OldSolver tracked reference 08:43 0.58
219 robertL new_solver reference 08:45 0.83
220 MichelinPoitiers new_solver reference 08:47 0.7
221 nigelmzzz tracked reference 08:47 0.61
222 kath tracked reference 08:47 0.39
223 vinyl12345 reference reference 08:48 0.57
224 goblin reference reference 08:48 0.67
225 Srb1 new_solver reference 08:51 0.64
226 Peloton new_solver reference 08:53 0.63
227 Msimmo new_solver tracked 08:56 0.62
228 timbo reference reference 08:57 0.64
229 gsriordan52 reference reference 08:59 0.54
230 Mkgnao tracked reference 09:04 0.79
231 Deezzaa reference reference 09:06 0.65
232 Solfynn new_solver reference 09:07 0.62
233 Chimblet Lyle new_solver reference 09:13 0.63
234 starstruck new_solver reference 09:15 0.69
235 The Mighty Salmon new_solver tracked 09:16 0.57
236 Poff new_solver reference 09:17 0.63
237 Word Psmith new_solver reference 09:17 0.61
238 Paksenarrion new_solver reference 09:18 0.51
239 annikins new_solver reference 09:23 0.72
240 Stozzer John new_solver reference 09:24 0.64
241 crosswordian reference reference 09:29 0.62
242 CoxBurglar tracked tracked 09:31 0.58
243 horners1974 new_solver reference 09:36 0.53
244 JeffHobbs tracked tracked 09:38 0.56
245 barracuda reference reference 09:43 0.66
246 jarenstein new_solver reference 09:52 0.51
247 The Real Steve Snackman new_solver reference 09:57 0.54
martinr486 new_solver neutrino 10:04 0.43
248 sicoll new_solver reference 10:06 0.27
249 Gnasherlicious new_solver reference 10:09 0.65
250 paul.graville new_solver reference 10:12 0.82
251 Muckypuppy new_solver reference 10:12 0.47
iholloway tracked neutrino 10:15 0.22
252 Alias Noble new_solver reference 10:17 0.63
253 bobs1958comps new_solver reference 10:17 0.49
254 Captain Burnaby new_solver reference 10:21 0.59
255 Struwa tracked reference 10:22 0.68
256 Laputan tracked reference 10:24 0.87
257 aggyp new_solver tracked 10:27 0.37
258 jackk.larg tracked reference 10:32 0.67
259 Troothful tracked reference 10:32 0.7
260 Birdingbob tracked reference 10:34 0.56
261 rlowin2 new_solver reference 10:36 0.63
262 griftdrift new_solver reference 10:37 0.74
263 Pendrov tracked tracked 10:41 0.41
264 simjt tracked reference 10:41 0.56
265 Dr. Memory tracked reference 10:48 0.52
266 chabuduo tracked reference 10:51 0.51
267 SMSEsq new_solver reference 10:54 0.55
268 Mark from Ipswich new_solver reference 10:58 0.53
269 eadgils new_solver reference 11:00 0.67
270 maisiemae reference reference 11:01 0.65
271 symbenall2 new_solver reference 11:04 0.56
272 Cedric Statherby new_solver blog_solver 11:04 0.5
273 Gordon B new_solver reference 11:15 0.59
274 nimrod86 new_solver reference 11:24 0.64
275 alex.scordellis tracked reference 11:24 0.51
276 InsaneEmu new_solver reference 11:26 0.61
277 Sonofjim tracked reference 11:26 0.67
278 Col-y-wobble new_solver reference 11:27 0.68
279 TonyN6 reference reference 11:28 0.42
280 Pas667 new_solver reference 11:37 0.74
281 WordPlodder tracked reference 11:38 0.64
282 danielbluebisson new_solver reference 11:39 0.6
283 Nuck_the_king tracked reference 11:43 0.67
284 paul.verney new_solver reference 11:54 0.7
285 Richard the First new_solver reference 11:55 0.4
suethepotterer tracked neutrino 12:05 0.57
286 Steve Wood new_solver reference 12:12 0.45
287 anderson1965 new_solver reference 12:16 0.52
288 kapietro tracked reference 12:19 0.66
289 tyrotim new_solver reference 12:26 0.68
290 New Driver new_solver blog_solver 12:39 0.79
291 HCOONamatata new_solver reference 12:41 0.73
292 BertieVII tracked reference 12:46 0.5
Mike Mansbridge reference neutrino 12:55 0.3
293 cpn-xonmkhdty new_solver reference 12:58 0.77
294 phina new_solver reference 13:02 0.7
295 alistair.boere new_solver reference 13:02 0.55
296 harryjmm new_solver reference 13:06 0.6
297 Jawar new_solver reference 13:15 0.64
298 Merlin new_solver blog_solver 13:16 0.45
299 Mendes tracked reference 13:17 0.53
300 pfalloon tracked reference 13:17 0.54
301 ifincham2 tracked reference 13:18 0.66
302 sittinduk new_solver reference 13:22 0.59
303 david.14587 new_solver reference 13:52 0.56
304 rdb8 new_solver tracked 13:53 0.4
305 dankramlich new_solver tracked 13:58 0.34
306 icycle new_solver reference 14:25 0.67
307 Doofenschmirtz tracked blog_solver 14:27 0.57
308 kfb20 tracked reference 14:32 0.6
309 Xebeq tracked reference 14:35 0.76
310 Holly O new_solver reference 14:44 0.64
311 Charpentier new_solver tracked 15:17 0.37
312 Solvitflav new_solver reference 15:30 0.59
313 Guy Hatton new_solver reference 15:32 0.56
314 felipedavid new_solver reference 15:36 0.69
315 Narayanan new_solver reference 15:46 0.68
316 RPE10538 tracked reference 15:51 0.49
317 howardt tracked reference 15:59 0.61
Damien Grover new_solver neutrino 15:59 0.1
318 Jax74 new_solver reference 16:01 0.54
319 ian.shepherd new_solver reference 16:05 0.53
320 pat2 new_solver reference 16:08 0.58
321 thechan new_solver tracked 16:13 0.55
322 keithandginnybirrell new_solver reference 16:31 0.52
lexawkward tracked neutrino 16:36 -0.13
323 BlestSiren new_solver reference 16:59 0.64
324 DofAveril new_solver reference 17:00 0.64
325 james new_solver reference 17:13 0.48
ibaram new_solver neutrino 17:18 0.49
326 mxlunch new_solver tracked 17:28 0.26
327 Geldart new_solver reference 17:56 0.56
328 gimmicky new_solver reference 18:02 0.43
329 Flayan new_solver reference 18:14 0.55
330 daverob new_solver reference 18:29 0.71
331 Jean in Oxford new_solver reference 18:30 0.51
332 Flora Garden new_solver reference 18:40 0.47
333 TonyK new_solver tracked 18:40 0.64
334 tomtom2 new_solver reference 18:44 0.78
335 paulmcl tracked tracked 19:09 0.41
336 andrewt24 new_solver reference 19:20 0.73
337 philby new_solver reference 19:25 0.55
338 Aresbiscuits new_solver reference 19:32 0.62
339 bangsar new_solver reference 19:37 0.53
freya new_solver neutrino 19:58 -0.02
340 darrell.j.baker new_solver reference 20:17 0.55
341 misof new_solver tracked 20:35 0.26
342 Tomov new_solver reference 20:54 0.71
343 chilibombom tracked reference 21:12 0.52
344 Hazelnut new_solver tracked 21:31 0.37
maryht new_solver neutrino 21:34 0.34
345 shankar new_solver tracked 21:49 0.52
346 dominic.c-b new_solver tracked 21:52 0.46
347 matt_o new_solver tracked 22:18 0.45
Tired_commuter new_solver neutrino 22:19 -0.04
348 jlloyd4424 new_solver tracked 22:45 0.59
ttto new_solver neutrino 22:58 0.16
349 Jilks new_solver tracked 23:07 0.41
350 Pompeydave tracked tracked 23:10 0.73
351 timendo new_solver tracked 23:12 0.5
dave new_solver neutrino 25:14 0.25
352 harrys new_solver tracked 25:33 0.55
353 jpalme34 new_solver tracked 26:10 0.46
354 revolting tonic new_solver tracked 26:55 0.61
355 andybry new_solver tracked 28:40 0.38
356 IanV new_solver tracked 28:57 0.7
357 stephenpmars new_solver tracked 31:33 0.59
358 crossworder new_solver tracked 46:49 0.73
359 mcfarl new_solver tracked 48:39 0.61
360 jillanne new_solver tracked 50:37 0.49