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Word Search Generator
Type your own words or pick a theme, choose the grid size and difficulty, and get a word search instantly. Play it right here by dragging across the letters, or print it with an answer key for class, parties or travel.
Play: drag across letters (or tap the first and last letter) to mark a word. Keyboard: arrow keys move, Enter marks the start and end.
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How to use the Word Search Generator
- Enter your words, one per line or separated by commas, or choose a theme to start from.
- Choose a difficulty: Easy hides words across and down, Medium adds diagonals, Hard adds backwards words and tricky filler letters.
- Press Generate puzzle. Use Shuffle layout for a different arrangement of the same words.
- Play online by dragging across a word (or tapping its first and last letter). Found words are crossed off.
- Print or download: tick Include answer key and press Print puzzle, or Download PNG for images.
Grid size guide
| Grid | Good for | Words | Suggested difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 × 8 to 10 × 10 | Ages 5 to 7, short words | 6 to 10 | Easy (across and down) |
| 12 × 12 | Ages 8 to 10 | 10 to 15 | Easy or Medium |
| 15 × 15 | Older kids and adults | 15 to 20 | Medium |
| 20 × 20 to 25 × 25 | Puzzle fans, long lists | 20 to 50 | Hard (all directions) |
How the generator builds a puzzle
Words are placed from longest to shortest, because long words are the hardest to fit. For each word the generator lists every start square and direction where it fits, either on empty squares or by sharing a matching letter with a word already placed, then picks one at random. Shared letters make the grid tighter and harder to read. If a word cannot be placed, the generator tries again with a fresh layout and, in Auto size, a slightly larger grid. Finally the empty squares are filled with random letters and the grid is checked so no hidden word appears twice by accident.
Ideas for classrooms and parties
- Spelling practice: paste this week’s spelling list and print one puzzle per student.
- Vocabulary review: make a puzzle from a science or history unit, then turn the same list into cards with the Flashcard Maker.
- Birthday or holiday fun: use guests’ names or holiday words, and print the answer key for the host.
- Race mode: play online and compare times; the timer stops when the last word is found.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a word search puzzle?
Type or paste your words into the Words box, one per line or separated by commas, set the difficulty and grid size, and press Generate puzzle. The generator places every word in the grid, fills the gaps with letters and lists the words to find.
Can I print the word search with an answer key?
Yes. Leave Include answer key ticked and press Print puzzle. The first page has the puzzle, the word list and a name line; the second page shows the grid with every hidden word marked. Choose Save as PDF in the print dialog to keep a PDF copy.
What do the difficulty levels change?
Easy hides words left to right and top to bottom only. Medium also uses diagonals going down-right and up-right. Hard allows all eight directions, including backwards words, and fills empty squares with letters from your own words so the hidden words blend in.
What grid size should I use?
Auto picks the smallest comfortable size for your words. As a guide, 10 × 10 suits young children with 8 to 10 short words, 15 × 15 suits 15 to 20 words, and 20 × 20 or larger works for long lists or challenging puzzles. Words longer than the grid cannot be placed.
Can I use phrases or words with spaces?
Yes. Spaces, hyphens and punctuation are removed inside the grid, so “ice cream” is hidden as ICECREAM, but the word list shows it the way you typed it.
Are my words saved or uploaded?
No upload happens. The puzzle is generated in your browser, and your last word list is remembered only on this device so you can come back to it.
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