Crossword answer
KEY
3 letters · Used for 108 different clues · 200 appearances · Last seen LA Times, August 19, 2026
Letter pattern
KEY
Clues that lead to KEY
Most recent firstClueLettersPuzzleLast seen
Decryption need3LA TimesAug 19, 2026
West or Largo in Florida3Crosswords With FriendsAug 11, 2026
Of vital importance3Wall Street JournalAug 6, 2026
C major, e.g.3NYT MidiJul 25, 2026
Locked doors opener3Crosswords With FriendsJul 19, 2026
Of utmost importance3Daily ThemedJul 17, 2026
Clef3Evening StandardJul 11, 2026
Map legend3New York TimesJul 5, 2026
Metal instrument3Evening StandardJul 3, 2026
Lock-opener3The IndependentJun 30, 2026
Part of a piano, map or Florida3Wall Street JournalJun 1, 2026
Essential3NewsdayMay 24, 2026
Opener made by a locksmith3Crosswords With FriendsMay 7, 2026
Door opener3NYT MidiMay 4, 2026
Such men may take turns as openers3Evening StandardApr 21, 2026
Poorly hidden item under a welcome mat, perhaps3NYT MidiApr 16, 2026
One of 88 on a piano3New York TimesApr 6, 2026
F sharp major, for one3New York TimesMar 30, 2026
It opens doors for you3NYT MidiMar 20, 2026
Lock opener3Daily ThemedMar 19, 2026
Chief of the bunch?3Evening StandardMar 15, 2026
Crucial3Eugene ShefferMar 10, 2026
Word with shift or skeleton3New York TimesMar 10, 2026
Most important part3New York TimesFeb 27, 2026
Major, often in a hole3Evening StandardFeb 21, 2026
That of "eLargo'?3Evening StandardJan 25, 2026
Of great importance3The IndependentJan 25, 2026
Most important3NewsdayJan 7, 2026
Francis Scott ___, writer of "The Star-Spangled Banner"3Daily ThemedDec 28, 2025
All-important3NewsdayDec 7, 2025
A minor, for instance3Evening StandardDec 3, 2025
Solution or explanation3Evening StandardNov 23, 2025
Essential England cricketer?3Evening StandardOct 16, 2025
Comedy series "___ & Peele"3Daily ThemedOct 15, 2025
Character generator3NewsdayOct 11, 2025
"The ___ to success is ..."3Daily ThemedSep 6, 2025
Legend on a map3Daily ThemedAug 3, 2025
Mission-critical3New York TimesJul 8, 2025
Toothed lock opener3Daily ThemedMay 29, 2025
Critical3NewsdayMay 23, 2025
Map inset3New York TimesMay 17, 2025
The answer to a bit of a black eye?3Evening StandardMay 10, 2025
Caps Lock, e.g.3Daily ThemedMay 10, 2025
A noted opener3Evening StandardMay 5, 2025
Of prime importance3NewsdayMay 4, 2025
Locker unlocker3Daily ThemedApr 30, 2025
Lock's perfect fit3Daily ThemedMar 17, 2025
Item accompanying a diary, perhaps3New York TimesMar 7, 2025
Word before "lime pie" or "note"3Daily ThemedFeb 2, 2025
Black or white piano part3Daily ThemedJan 20, 2025
Pivotal3NewsdayJan 17, 2025
Door unlocker3Daily ThemedJan 12, 2025
Island wharf radioed3The IndependentDec 31, 2024
Has it a musical ring?3Evening StandardDec 23, 2024
A piano piece?3Evening StandardDec 16, 2024
"___ & Peele" (comedy series)3Daily ThemedDec 10, 2024
Door unlocking tool3Daily ThemedDec 2, 2024
___ lime pie3Daily ThemedOct 23, 2024
One of the bunch has a bit of a black eye!3Evening StandardJul 25, 2024
What a thief doesn't need to break in3Daily ThemedJun 27, 2024
Lock unlocker3Daily ThemedApr 26, 2024
Lock opener that's still the symbol for "unlock" despite phone security primarily being digital3Daily ThemedMar 23, 2024
Lock opener a thief may not need3Daily ThemedFeb 1, 2024
If you lose "14 Across", here's a duplicate3Evening StandardJan 30, 2024
One taking a turn as opener, partnering "20 Down"3Evening StandardJan 30, 2024
Every lock has one3Daily ThemedDec 14, 2023
A minor, perhaps3Evening StandardDec 6, 2023
Comedy sketch series "___ & Peele"3Daily ThemedNov 30, 2023
One taking a turn as opener?3Evening StandardNov 2, 2023
One of the bunch?3Evening StandardOct 18, 2023
Under lock and ___ (locked away)3Daily ThemedOct 5, 2023
Car starter3Daily ThemedSep 2, 2023
Hotel room opener3Daily ThemedJul 24, 2023
___ to the city (honor bestowed on some VIPs)3Daily ThemedMay 23, 2023
Padlock unlocker3Daily ThemedMay 17, 2023
Black or white piece of a piano3Daily ThemedApr 17, 2023
Keegan-Michael ___, actor and comedian who voices Toad in the 2023 film "Super Mario Bros. Movie"3Daily ThemedApr 6, 2023
Don's left the ass a note!3Evening StandardApr 4, 2023
C minor, for Beethoven's Fifth3Daily ThemedMar 24, 2023
One taking turns as an opener?3Evening StandardMar 21, 2023
Lock's counterpart3Daily ThemedMar 14, 2023
Caps Lock or Backspace, e.g.3Daily ThemedMar 7, 2023
The opening note?3Evening StandardFeb 1, 2023
What a trespasser doesn't have3Daily ThemedJan 19, 2023
Lock's partner3Daily ThemedDec 10, 2022
A donkey has one just like a turkey, note3Evening StandardNov 29, 2022
An opener of note3Evening StandardOct 20, 2022
Hotel card, for one3Daily ThemedOct 13, 2022
Lock insert3Daily ThemedOct 8, 2022
Lock's better half?3Daily ThemedAug 29, 2022
A Major or D minor, for one3Daily ThemedAug 23, 2022
Lock's companion3Daily ThemedJul 17, 2022
Piano bit3Daily ThemedJun 24, 2022
C minor, for Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5"3Daily ThemedMay 31, 2022
Netflix's "Locke & ___"3Daily ThemedMay 23, 2022
An opener is such a man3Evening StandardApr 12, 2022
Using its tail, a monkey could open a door!3Evening StandardMar 16, 2022
"Locke and ___" (TV series)3Daily ThemedDec 14, 2021
West of Florida, perhaps, you'll find the solution3Evening StandardNov 4, 2021
C major or D minor, e.g.3Daily ThemedSep 20, 2021
An opener can be such a man3Evening StandardSep 1, 2021
Black or white part of a piano3Daily ThemedAug 2, 2021
Important3Evening StandardMay 14, 2021
That of ‘Largo’?3Evening StandardSep 16, 2020
It can be skeletal, note3Evening StandardAug 12, 2020
The solution, note3Evening StandardFeb 19, 2020
Tonality suitable for a Largo3Evening StandardOct 16, 2019
Centrally important3Evening StandardSep 12, 2019
About KEY in crosswords
KEY is a 3-letter answer that has appeared 200 times in our database across 108 different clues. It was most recently the answer to “Decryption need” in the LA Times crossword on August 19, 2026.
Other 3-letter answers
Every appearance of KEY (200)
Click to expand · newest first
Aug 19, 2026
Decryption need · LA Times · Down
Aug 11, 2026
West or Largo in Florida · Crosswords With Friends · 26
Aug 6, 2026
Of vital importance · Wall Street Journal · 65 Across
Jul 26, 2026
Of vital importance · LA Times · Across
Jul 25, 2026
C major, e.g. · NYT Midi · 3 Down
Jul 19, 2026
Locked doors opener · Crosswords With Friends · 7
Jul 17, 2026
Of utmost importance · Daily Themed · 52 Across
Jul 11, 2026
Clef · Evening Standard · 10 Across
Jul 5, 2026
Map legend · New York Times · 49 Down
Jul 3, 2026
Metal instrument · Evening Standard · 25 Down
Jun 30, 2026
Lock-opener · The Independent · 22 Across
Jun 14, 2026
Clef · Evening Standard · 41 Across
Jun 1, 2026
Part of a piano, map or Florida · Wall Street Journal · 71 Across
May 24, 2026
Essential · Newsday · Down
May 7, 2026
Opener made by a locksmith · Crosswords With Friends · 38
May 4, 2026
Door opener · NYT Midi · 27 Across
Apr 21, 2026
Such men may take turns as openers · Evening Standard · 14 Across
Apr 16, 2026
Poorly hidden item under a welcome mat, perhaps · NYT Midi · 30 Across
Apr 6, 2026
One of 88 on a piano · New York Times · 35 Across
Mar 30, 2026
F sharp major, for one · New York Times · 47 Down
Mar 20, 2026
It opens doors for you · NYT Midi · 14 Across
Mar 19, 2026
Lock opener · Daily Themed · 38 Across
Mar 15, 2026
Chief of the bunch? · Evening Standard · 20 Down
Mar 10, 2026
Crucial · Eugene Sheffer · 7 Down
Mar 10, 2026
Word with shift or skeleton · New York Times · 48 Across
Feb 27, 2026
Most important part · New York Times · 20 Across
Feb 21, 2026
Major, often in a hole · Evening Standard · 26 Across
Jan 25, 2026
That of "eLargo'? · Evening Standard · 20 Down
Jan 25, 2026
Of great importance · The Independent · 3 Down
Jan 7, 2026
Most important · Newsday · Across
Dec 28, 2025
Francis Scott ___, writer of "The Star-Spangled Banner" · Daily Themed · 52 Down
Dec 7, 2025
All-important · Newsday · Across
Dec 3, 2025
A minor, for instance · Evening Standard · 22 Down
Nov 23, 2025
Solution or explanation · Evening Standard · 16 Down
Oct 16, 2025
Essential England cricketer? · Evening Standard · 22 Down
Oct 15, 2025
Comedy series "___ & Peele" · Daily Themed · 22 Down
Oct 11, 2025
Character generator · Newsday · Across
Oct 7, 2025
Decryption need · Daily Themed · 47 Down
Sep 28, 2025
Lock opener · Evening Standard · 16 Down
Sep 15, 2025
Clef · Evening Standard · 10 Across
Sep 6, 2025
"The ___ to success is ..." · Daily Themed · 17 Across
Sep 5, 2025
Lock opener · Eugene Sheffer · 51 Across
Aug 3, 2025
Lock opener · Evening Standard · 16 Down
Aug 3, 2025
Legend on a map · Daily Themed · 60 Across
Jul 28, 2025
Of great importance · Evening Standard · 28 Across
Jul 15, 2025
Clef · Evening Standard · 17 Across
Jul 8, 2025
Mission-critical · New York Times · 56 Down
Jun 23, 2025
Clef · Evening Standard · 36 Across
Jun 4, 2025
Clef · Evening Standard · 35 Down
May 29, 2025
Toothed lock opener · Daily Themed · 2 Down
May 25, 2025
"The ___ to success is ..." · Daily Themed · 32 Across
May 23, 2025
Critical · Newsday · Down
May 17, 2025
Map inset · New York Times · 63 Across
May 10, 2025
The answer to a bit of a black eye? · Evening Standard · 9 Down
May 10, 2025
Caps Lock, e.g. · Daily Themed · 60 Across
May 5, 2025
A noted opener · Evening Standard · 16 Down
May 4, 2025
Of prime importance · Newsday · Down
Apr 30, 2025
Crucial · Eugene Sheffer · 25 Down
Apr 30, 2025
Locker unlocker · Daily Themed · 59 Across
Apr 24, 2025
Crucial · Eugene Sheffer · 27 Down
Apr 9, 2025
Most important · Newsday · Down
Mar 17, 2025
Lock's perfect fit · Daily Themed · 54 Down
Mar 7, 2025
Item accompanying a diary, perhaps · New York Times · 24 Across
Mar 1, 2025
Comedy series "___ & Peele" · Daily Themed · 37 Down
Feb 20, 2025
Lock opener · Eugene Sheffer · 54 Across
Feb 18, 2025
"The ___ to success is ..." · Daily Themed · 35 Across
Feb 2, 2025
Word before "lime pie" or "note" · Daily Themed · 31 Down
Jan 20, 2025
Black or white piano part · Daily Themed · 24 Down
Jan 17, 2025
Pivotal · Newsday · Down
Jan 13, 2025
Clef · Evening Standard · 15 Down
Jan 12, 2025
Door unlocker · Daily Themed · 50 Down
Jan 7, 2025
"The ___ to success is ..." · Daily Themed · 38 Down
Dec 31, 2024
Island wharf radioed · The Independent · 15 Across
Dec 26, 2024
Of great importance · Evening Standard · 24 Across
Dec 23, 2024
Has it a musical ring? · Evening Standard · 9 Down
Dec 16, 2024
A piano piece? · Evening Standard · 20 Down
Dec 10, 2024
"___ & Peele" (comedy series) · Daily Themed · 35 Down
Dec 2, 2024
Clef · Evening Standard · 17 Across
Dec 2, 2024
Door unlocking tool · Daily Themed · 26 Across
Oct 30, 2024
Lock-opener · The Independent · 3 Across
Oct 23, 2024
___ lime pie · Daily Themed · 33 Down
Oct 11, 2024
Of great importance · The Independent · 4 Across
Aug 22, 2024
Clef · Evening Standard · 29 Across
Aug 19, 2024
Lock-opener · The Independent · 3 Across
Aug 10, 2024
Of great importance · The Independent · 21 Across
Jul 29, 2024
Lock-opener · The Independent · 3 Across
Jul 25, 2024
One of the bunch has a bit of a black eye! · Evening Standard · 33 Down
Jul 23, 2024
Clef · Evening Standard · 17 Across
Jul 11, 2024
Lock opener · Daily Themed · 7 Across
Jul 5, 2024
Lock opener · Daily Themed · 57 Down
Jun 27, 2024
What a thief doesn't need to break in · Daily Themed · 14 Down
Jun 11, 2024
"___ & Peele" (comedy series) · Daily Themed · 50 Across
May 3, 2024
Of great importance · The Independent · 3 Across
Apr 26, 2024
Lock unlocker · Daily Themed · 27 Down
Mar 23, 2024
Lock opener that's still the symbol for "unlock" despite phone security primarily being digital · Daily Themed · 43 Down
Mar 18, 2024
Clef · Evening Standard · 4 Down
Feb 17, 2024
Lock opener · Daily Themed · 52 Down
Feb 13, 2024
The answer to a bit of a black eye? · Evening Standard · 9 Down
Feb 12, 2024
Lock-opener · The Independent · 21 Across
Feb 1, 2024
Lock opener a thief may not need · Daily Themed · 59 Across
Jan 30, 2024
If you lose "14 Across", here's a duplicate · Evening Standard · 20 Down
Jan 30, 2024
One taking a turn as opener, partnering "20 Down" · Evening Standard · 14 Across
Jan 2, 2024
Clef · Evening Standard · 41 Across
Dec 15, 2023
Crucial · Eugene Sheffer · 13 Across
Dec 14, 2023
Every lock has one · Daily Themed · 48 Down
Dec 6, 2023
A minor, perhaps · Evening Standard · 16 Down
Nov 30, 2023
Lock opener · Evening Standard · 35 Across
Nov 30, 2023
Comedy sketch series "___ & Peele" · Daily Themed · 36 Down
Nov 2, 2023
One taking a turn as opener? · Evening Standard · 26 Across
Oct 18, 2023
One of the bunch? · Evening Standard · 14 Across
Oct 13, 2023
Lock opener · Daily Themed · 26 Across
Oct 5, 2023
Under lock and ___ (locked away) · Daily Themed · 25 Down
Sep 5, 2023
Lock opener · Eugene Sheffer · 54 Across
Sep 2, 2023
Car starter · Daily Themed · 18 Across
Aug 26, 2023
Lock opener · Daily Themed · 26 Down
Jul 24, 2023
Hotel room opener · Daily Themed · 51 Across
Jul 18, 2023
Essential · Evening Standard · 34 Down
Jul 15, 2023
Crucial · Eugene Sheffer · 9 Across
Jun 1, 2023
___ lime pie · Daily Themed · 8 Across
May 23, 2023
___ to the city (honor bestowed on some VIPs) · Daily Themed · 27 Down
May 17, 2023
Padlock unlocker · Daily Themed · 48 Down
Apr 17, 2023
Black or white piece of a piano · Daily Themed · 27 Down
Apr 6, 2023
Keegan-Michael ___, actor and comedian who voices Toad in the 2023 film "Super Mario Bros. Movie" · Daily Themed · 59 Across
Apr 4, 2023
Don's left the ass a note! · Evening Standard · 20 Down
Mar 24, 2023
C minor, for Beethoven's Fifth · Daily Themed · 58 Across
Mar 21, 2023
One taking turns as an opener? · Evening Standard · 20 Down
Mar 14, 2023
Lock's counterpart · Daily Themed · 57 Across
Mar 7, 2023
Caps Lock or Backspace, e.g. · Daily Themed · 42 Across
Feb 1, 2023
The opening note? · Evening Standard · 14 Across
Jan 19, 2023
What a trespasser doesn't have · Daily Themed · 18 Across
Jan 2, 2023
Locker unlocker · Daily Themed · 60 Across
Dec 12, 2022
Lock opener · Eugene Sheffer · 53 Down
Dec 10, 2022
Lock's partner · Daily Themed · 10 Down
Nov 29, 2022
A donkey has one just like a turkey, note · Evening Standard · 4 Down
Nov 6, 2022
Lock opener · Daily Themed · 53 Across
Oct 20, 2022
An opener of note · Evening Standard · 20 Down
Oct 13, 2022
Hotel card, for one · Daily Themed · 58 Across
Oct 8, 2022
Lock insert · Daily Themed · 27 Across
Sep 15, 2022
A minor, for instance · Evening Standard · 9 Down
Aug 29, 2022
Lock's better half? · Daily Themed · 27 Down
Aug 23, 2022
A Major or D minor, for one · Daily Themed · 49 Across
Jul 17, 2022
Lock's companion · Daily Themed · 34 Across
Jul 13, 2022
A minor, for instance · Evening Standard · 16 Down
Jun 24, 2022
Piano bit · Daily Themed · 54 Down
May 31, 2022
C minor, for Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5" · Daily Themed · 18 Down
May 23, 2022
Netflix's "Locke & ___" · Daily Themed · 53 Down
May 18, 2022
Lock's partner · Daily Themed · 54 Across
Apr 21, 2022
Lock opener · Evening Standard · 21 Down
Apr 12, 2022
An opener is such a man · Evening Standard · 4 Down
Mar 27, 2022
Car starter · Daily Themed · 7 Down
Mar 16, 2022
Using its tail, a monkey could open a door! · Evening Standard · 14 Across
Mar 10, 2022
Lock opener · Evening Standard · 16 Down
Dec 20, 2021
Crucial · Eugene Sheffer · 22 Across
Dec 14, 2021
"Locke and ___" (TV series) · Daily Themed · 49 Down
Dec 3, 2021
___ lime pie · Daily Themed · 42 Across
Nov 4, 2021
West of Florida, perhaps, you'll find the solution · Evening Standard · 16 Across
Oct 25, 2021
Crucial · Eugene Sheffer · 23 Down
Sep 20, 2021
C major or D minor, e.g. · Daily Themed · 47 Down
Sep 1, 2021
An opener can be such a man · Evening Standard · 14 Across
Aug 18, 2021
Lock opener · Evening Standard · 14 Across
Aug 2, 2021
Black or white part of a piano · Daily Themed · 17 Down
Jul 9, 2021
Lock opener · Daily Themed · 52 Down
Jun 19, 2021
Crucial · Eugene Sheffer · 17 Across
May 14, 2021
Important · Evening Standard · 20 Across
Apr 8, 2021
Lock opener · Eugene Sheffer · 51 Down
Mar 5, 2021
Metal instrument · Evening Standard · 25 Down
Mar 2, 2021
Clef · Evening Standard · 10 Across
Jan 27, 2021
Such men may take turns as openers · Evening Standard · 14 Across
Jan 22, 2021
Clef · Evening Standard · 41 Across
Dec 2, 2020
Chief of the bunch? · Evening Standard · 20 Down
Nov 16, 2020
Crucial · Eugene Sheffer · 53 Down
Oct 29, 2020
Major, often in a hole · Evening Standard · 26 Across
Sep 16, 2020
That of ‘Largo’? · Evening Standard · 20 Down
Aug 12, 2020
It can be skeletal, note · Evening Standard · 14 Across
Jun 24, 2020
A minor, for instance · Evening Standard · 22 Down
Jun 4, 2020
Solution or explanation · Evening Standard · 16 Down
Apr 15, 2020
Essential England cricketer? · Evening Standard · 22 Down
Feb 27, 2020
Lock opener · Evening Standard · 16 Down
Feb 19, 2020
The solution, note · Evening Standard · 14 Across
Feb 1, 2020
Crucial · Eugene Sheffer · 37 Across
Jan 29, 2020
Clef · Evening Standard · 10 Across
Jan 3, 2020
Crucial · Eugene Sheffer · 45 Down
Oct 17, 2019
Clef · Evening Standard · 31 Down
Oct 16, 2019
Tonality suitable for a Largo · Evening Standard · 20 Down
Sep 12, 2019
Centrally important · Evening Standard · 21 Down
Jun 10, 2019
Clef · Evening Standard · 33 Down
May 23, 2019
Lock opener · Evening Standard · 16 Down
May 15, 2019
Of great importance · Evening Standard · 28 Across
May 14, 2019
Clef · Evening Standard · 17 Across
Apr 12, 2019
Clef · Evening Standard · 36 Across
Mar 18, 2019
Clef · Evening Standard · 35 Down
Nov 8, 2018
Clef · Evening Standard · 15 Down
Oct 9, 2018
Clef · Evening Standard · 17 Across
Sep 26, 2018
Has it a musical ring? · Evening Standard · 9 Down
Sep 19, 2018
A piano piece? · Evening Standard · 20 Down
Sep 18, 2018
Of great importance · Evening Standard · 24 Across
Jul 5, 2018
Clef · Evening Standard · 29 Across
Jun 5, 2018
Clef · Evening Standard · 17 Across
May 7, 2018
One of the bunch has a bit of a black eye! · Evening Standard · 33 Down
Feb 19, 2018
Clef · Evening Standard · 4 Down