How to study CSW24

A short guide for WESPA and ABSP tournament players

What is CSW24?

CSW24 (Collins, 2024 edition) is the international word list for competitive crossword-style word games. It is larger than the North American list and includes many British, Commonwealth and rare words.

Who uses it?

WESPA-rated events worldwide and ABSP events in the UK use CSW24, as do most clubs across Asia, Africa, Oceania and Europe. North American NASPA players use NWL2023 — see swappo.lol.

How to study it

  • Start small: learn all two- and three-letter words first, then high-probability seven- and eight-letter words.
  • Drill anagrams and hooks: alphagram drills train you to see every valid word in a rack.
  • Use spaced repetition: words you miss come back sooner, words you know come back later.
  • Practise endgames: knowing the words is half the job; finishing well is the other half.
  • Review your games: find the plays and words you missed and add them to your study.

How SWAPPO helps

SWAPPO is a study site built around CSW24: anagram and alphagram drills, spaced-repetition word study, endgame practice and game review, with a history that shows your weak spots. It is free to start.

Start studying CSW24 · About SWAPPO

Word lists are used under licence: NWL2023 from NASPA and CSW24 from HarperCollins. SWAPPO is not affiliated with any trademark owner.