How to make a word search in four steps
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1. Type a title and your words
Add 5 to 15 words of 3 letters or more, one per box, or paste a list separated by commas. The title prints at the top of the sheet.
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2. Choose the difficulty
Easy, Medium or Hard set the grid size and the directions the words run. More options lets you set both yourself.
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3. Pick a design
The sheet builds itself as you type. Choose one of 41 designs, or open the designer to change colors, borders, pictures and fonts.
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4. Print, play or save
Download the puzzle and its answer key as PDFs on Letter or A4, play it online right here, or save it to My Puzzles.
Which difficulty should you choose?
The difficulty is about more than the size of the grid. Words that run backwards or diagonally are much harder to spot than words that read left to right, so a 10x10 grid with backwards words can be harder than a 15x15 grid without them.
Easy · 10x10 grid
Words run across and down only, never backwards.
Best for: Ages 5 to 8, early readers and first-time solvers.
Medium · 12x12 grid
Across, down and diagonally, still always forwards.
Best for: Ages 8 to 12, and a relaxed puzzle for adults.
Hard · 15x15 grid
All eight directions, including backwards and diagonals.
Best for: Teens and adults who want a real challenge.
Custom grid and directions
Open More options to set the grid anywhere from 8x8 to 20x20 and switch each of the eight directions on or off. Two rules of thumb: the grid has to be at least as wide as your longest word, and the fewer words you hide in a big grid, the more filler letters there are to search through.
Tips for a better word search
- Keep words on one topic. A clear theme, like "farm animals" or "our trip to the beach", helps solvers guess what they are looking for and makes the sheet feel finished.
- Mix short and long words. Three- and four-letter words are surprisingly hard to find, long ones are easy to spot. A mix keeps everyone busy.
- Match the list to the reader. For young children, use words they can already read and stay with Easy. For adults, longer and less common words matter more than a bigger grid.
- Check the answer key. Print it with the puzzle: it marks every word, so checking a stack of sheets takes seconds.
Ideas for teachers, parents and parties
Weekly spelling lists
Type this week's 10 to 15 spelling words and print a copy for each student. Searching for a word letter by letter is a good way to notice how it is spelled.
Science and history vocabulary
Turn the key terms of a unit (the planets, the parts of a cell, the causes of a war) into a warm-up or a review sheet.
Birthdays and parties
Hide the names of the guests, the birthday child's favorite things or the words of the theme, and put one at every place setting.
Holidays and seasons
Pick a Halloween, Christmas or Easter design and fill it with your own words, so the activity matches your class or your family.
English learners
Easy grids with words running only across and down are a gentle way to practice new words. Add the meaning of each word on the back.
Seniors and large print
Choose the Large Print design and a small grid with few words: the letters print bigger and the word list is easy to read.
Need a puzzle right now? Browse the ready-made printable word searches, all with the same designs and an answer key.
Frequently asked questions
Is the word search maker free?
Yes. Making, printing and playing your puzzles is free, with no account and no watermark on the PDF.
How many words can I add?
From 5 to 15 words, each with at least 3 letters. You can type them one per box or paste a list separated by commas.
How do I make my word search harder or easier?
Choose Easy, Medium or Hard, or open More options to set the grid from 8x8 to 20x20 and pick each direction the words can run. A bigger grid, more directions and backwards words all make it harder.
What if a word does not fit in the grid?
A word cannot be longer than the grid is wide. If your words do not fit, the maker tells you: try a bigger grid, more directions or shorter words.
Does my puzzle come with an answer key?
Yes. You download two PDFs, the puzzle and its answer key with every word marked, on US Letter or A4 paper.
Can I change the design of the printable?
Yes. Pick one of 41 ready-made designs, or open the designer to change the colors, the border, the pictures, the name and date lines and the fonts, move things around and add stickers or your own text.
Can I save my word search and come back later?
Yes. Save it to My Puzzles and it stays in this browser, ready to print or play again. It is not stored on our servers, so use the same browser to find it.