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 August 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 0.34
1 cmjhutton reference reference 02:07 0.69
2 Paul Gilbert reference reference 02:09 0.65
3 lili tracked reference 02:10 0.73
Margaut tracked neutrino 02:26 0.02
auchiedollie tracked neutrino 02:27 0.56
4 Jason reference reference 02:33 0.63
5 verlaine reference reference 02:35 0.72
6 Magoo tracked reference 02:36 0.69
7 mistigris reference reference 02:41 0.68
8 aphis99 reference reference 02:41 0.66
9 hilarym reference reference 02:49 0.67
10 HoneyBadger new_solver reference 02:53 0.66
michaelbell53 reference neutrino 02:58 0.4
11 Amoeba89 new_solver reference 03:07 0.64
12 Alexis Johansen new_solver reference 03:08 0.64
PeterG47 new_solver neutrino 03:09 0.09
13 Askival new_solver reference 03:11 0.58
14 Wizard of Aus new_solver reference 03:16 0.63
15 Ciolf new_solver reference 03:17 0.69
16 Deane Short new_solver reference 03:22 0.64
17 Flimmy flammy reference reference 03:22 0.6
18 philjordan1147 reference reference 03:22 0.53
19 fshephe reference tracked 03:24 0.6
C M Gilles tracked neutrino 03:25 0.53
20 Aybee new_solver reference 03:27 0.58
21 markdobell reference reference 03:28 0.65
22 Sheapey tracked reference 03:30 0.73
23 Heyesey reference reference 03:33 0.6
susan new_solver neutrino 03:33 0.01
24 richard reference reference 03:35 0.54
25 SimonAnthony tracked reference 03:48 0.69
26 glheard reference reference 03:50 0.55
27 Kinghedger reference reference 03:58 0.7
28 Topical Tim reference reference 04:01 0.55
29 EricK new_solver reference 04:03 0.64
30 morleyterrier new_solver reference 04:06 0.61
Balbec tracked neutrino 04:10 0.37
31 clarkeybaby new_solver reference 04:10 0.66
32 MikeOsborneMason new_solver reference 04:11 0.68
33 Umpire reference reference 04:13 0.66
34 cdb_100 new_solver reference 04:16 0.73
Crypton new_solver neutrino 04:20 0.48
35 dr.shred new_solver reference 04:26 0.66
36 MK76 reference reference 04:27 0.57
37 tilbee reference reference 04:27 0.78
38 Liari reference reference 04:28 0.51
39 daulbs reference reference 04:31 0.6
40 alexh reference reference 04:32 0.61
Freemers1968 new_solver neutrino 04:32 0.7
41 andrewlake reference reference 04:36 0.78
42 March reference reference 04:36 0.66
43 canismiser reference reference 04:37 0.57
44 lickert reference reference 04:37 0.67
istorey new_solver neutrino 04:37 0.02
45 rrricharrrd new_solver reference 04:38 0.69
46 wwalker50 reference reference 04:39 0.78
47 tiggis reference reference 04:40 0.22
48 CentralLine new_solver reference 04:40 0.57
49 Jon Delfin tracked reference 04:40 0.6
50 jflo88 new_solver reference 04:42 0.5
51 chrismarch tracked reference 04:42 0.51
52 Vannyx new_solver reference 04:42 0.66
53 toots new_solver reference 04:42 0.72
54 chindit reference reference 04:44 0.64
55 Morphosis new_solver reference 04:44 0.53
56 babka new_solver reference 04:44 0.79
John Walsh tracked neutrino 04:47 0.44
57 Anomalospiza new_solver reference 04:47 0.61
58 neilr reference reference 04:49 0.7
59 Riche reference reference 04:49 0.45
60 Tom Stubbs reference reference 04:50 0.6
61 JayEm new_solver reference 04:51 0.57
62 benbush new_solver reference 04:52 0.63
alisonm74 new_solver neutrino 04:52 0.58
lucyg43484 reference neutrino 04:53 0.72
Kate and John new_solver neutrino 04:54 0.18
63 LouWeed reference reference 04:55 0.72
64 d.middleton reference reference 04:56 0.67
65 chriswords tracked reference 04:56 0.67
66 Johninterred new_solver blog_solver 04:56 0.69
67 fishernick79 tracked reference 04:58 0.69
68 andy reference reference 04:59 0.56
69 trux reference reference 04:59 0.61
70 Paul Bacon tracked reference 05:00 0.31
71 The Dabbler tracked reference 05:02 0.65
72 Zander reference reference 05:02 0.72
73 tapbarker tracked reference 05:02 0.31
74 AndyKnott321 new_solver reference 05:02 0.67
75 Aly Duncan reference reference 05:07 0.62
76 Rabbitoh reference reference 05:13 0.59
77 Onelug new_solver reference 05:13 0.54
78 inca1 new_solver reference 05:15 0.58
79 Streaky Bacon new_solver reference 05:16 0.61
80 Ed freshpot reference reference 05:17 0.7
81 Squallaby reference reference 05:18 0.54
82 lyndaw new_solver reference 05:20 0.72
83 ChuckB reference reference 05:22 0.63
84 chriswestontour new_solver reference 05:22 0.57
85 Paul Hammond reference reference 05:24 0.63
86 cmcnsmith reference reference 05:27 0.45
87 footballblue reference reference 05:30 0.6
88 SBQuick new_solver reference 05:30 0.75
89 Encota new_solver reference 05:30 0.65
90 KET reference reference 05:31 0.74
91 Penfold_61 reference reference 05:32 0.46
92 MrChumley reference reference 05:33 0.57
GeorgeTz reference neutrino 05:33 0.38
93 julian_w reference reference 05:36 0.77
94 Tibthorpe reference reference 05:37 0.67
95 thewanderingeditor new_solver reference 05:39 0.64
96 KarenR new_solver reference 05:40 0.59
97 7dPenguin reference reference 05:40 0.71
98 andrewfeist96 new_solver tracked 05:42 0.69
99 Looch reference reference 05:42 0.76
100 Finzi reference reference 05:42 0.59
101 nina s reference reference 05:42 0.71
102 esmeralda reference reference 05:43 0.69
103 Mike C new_solver reference 05:45 0.6
104 Roscoe reference reference 05:49 0.59
105 hofzinser new_solver tracked 05:51 0.2
106 mjsaunders9 new_solver reference 05:51 0.6
107 rob.rolfe42 new_solver reference 05:52 0.73
108 Crossiant reference reference 05:53 0.83
109 wolfcloud new_solver reference 05:55 0.63
110 scrabbler reference reference 05:55 0.65
111 Tudds reference reference 06:01 0.73
112 Aldus new_solver reference 06:03 0.53
113 hopkinb reference reference 06:08 0.76
114 Dzhigit reference reference 06:09 0.66
115 Jamie Fox new_solver reference 06:10 0.6
116 Dan Wroe new_solver reference 06:10 0.77
117 james150374 new_solver reference 06:12 0.75
118 tom.healey new_solver reference 06:12 0.57
119 Kalakuta72 reference reference 06:15 0.49
120 JPTC new_solver reference 06:17 0.7
121 Barrels new_solver reference 06:18 0.64
122 paul.whitehouse69 reference reference 06:19 0.79
123 PGooden reference reference 06:20 0.74
124 Curarist tracked reference 06:24 0.67
125 metagloria new_solver reference 06:25 0.55
126 Cookincats tracked reference 06:25 0.81
127 Rosron reference reference 06:26 0.62
128 hazyfantazee new_solver reference 06:28 0.81
129 jimwetzler reference reference 06:30 0.6
130 as584 new_solver reference 06:35 0.81
131 jon reference reference 06:37 0.8
132 LiamD new_solver reference 06:38 0.64
133 Maitresse new_solver reference 06:41 0.74
134 membership new_solver reference 06:41 0.46
135 James P reference reference 06:44 0.76
136 Dvynys reference reference 06:46 0.7
137 Shabbo reference reference 06:47 0.73
138 The Caffeine Kid new_solver reference 06:49 0.64
139 Snorter new_solver reference 06:49 0.78
140 GMcD reference reference 06:51 0.66
141 plusjeremy new_solver reference 06:51 0.71
142 gnome123 new_solver reference 06:53 0.47
143 Neb new_solver reference 06:54 0.6
144 janesa new_solver reference 06:54 0.53
145 Alfaracerob new_solver reference 06:56 0.58
146 tds tracked reference 06:56 0.71
KenD51 reference neutrino 06:59 0.72
147 intentional rounding new_solver reference 06:59 0.61
148 endafk reference reference 07:00 0.62
149 cerid new_solver reference 07:01 0.64
150 Kevin Gregg reference reference 07:03 0.53
151 uvofiz reference reference 07:04 0.68
152 smalley552 tracked reference 07:05 0.58
153 raincloud reference reference 07:05 0.62
154 thebigshow new_solver reference 07:06 0.67
155 cognominative new_solver reference 07:07 0.51
156 Gussie reference reference 07:09 0.92
157 earlylight reference reference 07:10 0.77
158 Templar Redux reference reference 07:10 0.64
159 mw7000 reference reference 07:11 0.51
160 robinh reference reference 07:15 0.65
161 Doyler tracked reference 07:18 0.67
162 Adrian Cobb new_solver reference 07:19 0.6
163 f4rch new_solver reference 07:20 0.59
164 Puzzleplease reference reference 07:21 0.75
165 plett11 reference reference 07:23 0.73
166 Corymbia reference reference 07:23 0.73
167 mich_punk new_solver reference 07:24 0.64
168 Desdeeloeste new_solver reference 07:24 0.77
169 TomHerbert reference reference 07:25 0.68
170 Rosey6 new_solver reference 07:25 0.89
171 DianeRS reference reference 07:27 0.69
172 mjwiseman tracked reference 07:27 0.73
173 1234 reference reference 07:28 0.7
174 phatman new_solver reference 07:29 0.7
175 Sheen reference reference 07:29 0.85
176 Solving slo mo new_solver reference 07:29 0.63
177 DamienKnapma new_solver reference 07:30 0.59
178 docg tracked reference 07:30 0.42
179 wimpoldo new_solver reference 07:31 0.53
180 Mike Harper reference reference 07:33 0.69
181 brian.richards1 new_solver reference 07:35 0.75
182 Srb1 new_solver reference 07:36 0.57
183 Rozz tracked reference 07:37 0.87
184 nigel reference reference 07:37 0.58
185 banni-wae new_solver reference 07:38 0.67
186 Mudge new_solver reference 07:40 0.46
187 ilan reference reference 07:41 0.65
188 Married Admirer new_solver reference 07:43 0.86
189 ChrisBrea reference reference 07:54 0.78
190 JoeyC tracked reference 07:55 0.67
191 Dr_Bob tracked reference 07:56 0.59
192 hemantyd new_solver reference 07:56 0.47
193 feline new_solver reference 08:00 0.52
194 robertL new_solver reference 08:00 0.7
john.brassey tracked neutrino 08:01 0.47
195 mattindoha reference reference 08:02 0.63
196 Troothful tracked reference 08:02 0.55
197 ulaca reference reference 08:12 0.67
198 jemcd33 tracked reference 08:13 0.72
199 johndun reference reference 08:13 0.66
200 crucihacker new_solver reference 08:13 0.61
201 RPY tracked reference 08:14 0.51
202 jarenstein new_solver reference 08:15 0.68
puzzled1 tracked neutrino 08:18 0.62
203 John Arnold reference reference 08:19 0.59
204 Joseph T new_solver reference 08:19 0.5
205 Cuppa378 tracked reference 08:20 0.7
206 Manuel1 tracked reference 08:21 0.6
207 vefatica tracked reference 08:21 0.42
208 m5harp reference reference 08:22 0.64
209 Jeeves tracked reference 08:24 0.82
210 anchisiades new_solver reference 08:25 0.69
211 E Bradford tracked reference 08:30 0.54
212 MichelinPoitiers new_solver reference 08:33 0.57
213 jaraab reference reference 08:38 0.78
214 nigelmzzz tracked reference 08:41 0.65
215 goblin reference reference 08:42 0.68
216 timbo reference reference 08:46 0.74
217 Eyejaybeee tracked tracked 08:47 0.37
218 cestmoi new_solver reference 08:47 0.88
219 CrystalPip tracked reference 08:47 0.64
220 Peloton new_solver reference 08:48 0.55
221 barracuda reference reference 08:50 0.68
222 johnusa new_solver reference 08:52 0.54
223 annikins new_solver reference 08:53 0.66
224 Chimblet Lyle new_solver reference 08:53 0.62
225 starstruck new_solver reference 08:54 0.63
226 Deezzaa reference reference 08:56 0.63
227 vinyl12345 reference reference 08:59 0.47
228 Solfynn new_solver reference 08:59 0.66
229 Edprof reference reference 09:00 0.65
230 Msimmo new_solver tracked 09:00 0.66
231 kath tracked reference 09:03 0.41
232 sicoll new_solver reference 09:05 0.47
233 Poff new_solver reference 09:09 0.89
234 Mkgnao tracked reference 09:12 0.78
235 horners1974 new_solver reference 09:15 0.58
Mike Mansbridge reference neutrino 09:21 0.19
236 crosswordian reference reference 09:23 0.59
237 Stozzer John new_solver reference 09:27 0.67
238 gsriordan52 reference reference 09:31 0.62
239 The Real Steve Snackman new_solver reference 09:35 0.62
240 OldSolver tracked reference 09:37 0.57
241 Word Psmith new_solver reference 09:40 0.66
martinr486 new_solver neutrino 09:47 0.57
Hedlights new_solver neutrino 09:50 0.2
242 Gnasherlicious new_solver reference 10:00 0.74
243 Muckypuppy new_solver reference 10:10 0.57
244 Captain Burnaby new_solver reference 10:16 0.71
245 Laputan tracked reference 10:19 0.91
246 griftdrift new_solver reference 10:20 0.8
247 paul.graville new_solver reference 10:27 0.79
248 Birdingbob tracked reference 10:27 0.51
249 simjt tracked reference 10:31 0.54
250 Pas667 new_solver reference 10:32 0.66
251 Boostage new_solver tracked 10:32 0.39
252 aggyp new_solver tracked 10:35 0.4
253 jackk.larg tracked reference 10:35 0.72
254 JeffHobbs tracked tracked 10:38 0.67
iholloway tracked neutrino 10:39 0.26
255 rlowin2 new_solver reference 10:44 0.55
256 Gordon B new_solver reference 10:46 0.59
257 eadgils new_solver reference 10:47 0.53
258 Mark from Ipswich new_solver reference 10:48 0.58
259 InsaneEmu new_solver reference 10:48 0.45
260 chabuduo tracked reference 10:48 0.55
TommyBald new_solver neutrino 10:49 0.48
261 Struwa tracked reference 10:49 0.73
262 Pendrov tracked tracked 10:52 0.42
263 symbenall2 new_solver reference 10:57 0.6
264 Dr. Memory tracked reference 10:57 0.36
265 SMSEsq new_solver reference 10:58 0.5
266 Cedric Statherby new_solver blog_solver 10:58 0.55
267 alex.scordellis tracked reference 11:11 0.52
268 danielbluebisson new_solver reference 11:17 0.59
269 Sonofjim tracked reference 11:23 0.68
270 maisiemae reference reference 11:37 0.67
271 paul.verney new_solver reference 11:38 0.65
272 Col-y-wobble new_solver reference 11:40 0.73
273 TonyN6 reference reference 11:45 0.71
274 WordPlodder tracked reference 11:47 0.66
275 HCOONamatata new_solver reference 11:52 0.72
276 cpn-xonmkhdty new_solver reference 11:56 0.64
277 rdb8 new_solver reference 12:06 0.46
suethepotterer tracked neutrino 12:07 0.58
278 harryjmm new_solver reference 12:11 0.59
279 Steve Wood new_solver reference 12:20 0.57
280 kapietro tracked reference 12:30 0.72
281 sittinduk new_solver reference 12:33 0.63
282 New Driver new_solver blog_solver 12:36 0.69
283 tyrotim new_solver reference 12:38 0.68
284 ifincham2 tracked reference 12:40 0.71
285 Jawar new_solver reference 12:42 0.72
286 phina new_solver reference 12:50 0.58
287 Merlin new_solver blog_solver 13:09 0.46
dankramlich new_solver neutrino 13:13 0.25
288 Nuck_the_king tracked reference 13:14 0.63
289 Holly O new_solver reference 13:32 0.62
290 Doofenschmirtz tracked blog_solver 13:39 0.51
291 Aidleys new_solver reference 13:42 0.42
292 icycle new_solver reference 13:44 0.68
Winchelt618 tracked neutrino 13:44 0.79
293 alistair.boere new_solver reference 13:46 0.55
294 Mendes tracked reference 13:52 0.57
295 kfb20 tracked reference 13:58 0.69
296 Charpentier new_solver tracked 14:05 0.36
297 pfalloon tracked reference 14:08 0.6
298 BertieVII tracked reference 14:08 0.41
aravindg new_solver neutrino 14:13 0.08
299 Xebeq tracked reference 14:27 0.78
ibaram new_solver neutrino 14:31 0.46
300 david.14587 new_solver reference 14:41 0.6
301 bubbagrub new_solver reference 14:44 0.74
302 michaelellisandrew new_solver reference 14:58 0.73
303 Narayanan new_solver reference 15:10 0.63
304 Jax74 new_solver reference 15:17 0.58
305 felipedavid new_solver reference 15:30 0.77
306 Guy Hatton new_solver reference 15:31 0.66
307 RPE10538 tracked reference 15:43 0.61
308 matta87 new_solver reference 15:51 0.57
309 thechan new_solver tracked 16:03 0.49
310 BlestSiren new_solver reference 16:12 0.63
311 andrewt24 new_solver reference 16:16 0.81
312 paulmcl tracked tracked 16:19 0.37
313 james new_solver reference 16:26 0.5
314 anon emouse tracked tracked 16:30 0.65
315 pat2 new_solver reference 16:30 0.64
316 DofAveril new_solver reference 16:34 0.61
Damien Grover new_solver neutrino 16:37 -0.03
317 keithandginnybirrell new_solver reference 16:39 0.43
318 gimmicky new_solver reference 16:50 0.68
319 howardt tracked reference 17:06 0.66
320 ian.shepherd new_solver reference 17:14 0.42
321 Flayan new_solver reference 17:52 0.51
322 nikknowssomecluessometimes new_solver reference 18:03 0.46
323 Flora Garden new_solver reference 18:15 0.5
324 TonyK new_solver tracked 18:17 0.66
325 shankar new_solver tracked 18:25 0.37
326 bangsar new_solver reference 18:33 0.59
327 Geldart new_solver reference 18:34 0.71
328 timendo new_solver reference 19:26 0.48
329 Aresbiscuits new_solver reference 19:27 0.52
330 mxlunch new_solver tracked 19:32 0.34
331 Jean in Oxford new_solver reference 19:41 0.61
332 Busker1959 new_solver reference 19:57 0.51
333 tomtom2 new_solver reference 20:02 0.8
334 philby new_solver reference 20:12 0.54
335 darrell.j.baker new_solver reference 20:16 0.7
336 misof new_solver tracked 20:35 0.26
337 Tomov new_solver reference 20:51 0.73
338 matt_o new_solver reference 21:08 0.59
maryht new_solver neutrino 21:18 0.45
339 dominic.c-b new_solver reference 21:24 0.53
chilibombom tracked neutrino 21:28 0.16
340 Jilks new_solver tracked 22:08 0.54
ttto new_solver neutrino 22:12 0.27
341 Hazelnut new_solver tracked 22:16 0.54
Tired_commuter new_solver neutrino 22:22 0.11
342 jlloyd4424 new_solver tracked 23:05 0.69
343 Pompeydave tracked tracked 24:35 0.64
344 harrys new_solver tracked 25:09 0.44
Philip van Dyck new_solver neutrino 25:12 0.25
Yiggsy new_solver neutrino 25:25 0.62
dave new_solver neutrino 25:32 0.32
345 IanV new_solver tracked 29:12 0.71
346 nnortham new_solver tracked 33:18 0.53
347 crossworder new_solver tracked 45:36 0.63
348 mcfarl new_solver tracked 49:00 0.63
349 jillanne new_solver tracked 49:01 0.54