Word Search
Find the hidden words.
Find the hidden words.
Press start to play — no sign-up, nothing to install.
How to use Word Search
- Enter your own word list or load the sample
- Pick a grid size and toggle diagonal placement
- Generate the puzzle, then print or make a new one
About Word Search
Word Search Generator turns any list of words into a printable word-search puzzle. Type or paste your own words — one per line, or separated by commas or spaces — or start from the built-in sample list. Each word, from short two-letter entries up to longer twenty-four-letter ones and up to forty words in all, is hidden forward across, down, or diagonally, and every empty square is filled with a random letter. Feeding it a set of five-letter words for a spelling unit or a themed list for a party works the same way: paste them in and click New puzzle.
Pick a grid size to match your longest word and the age of the solver, and turn diagonals on for a tougher puzzle or off so words only run across and down. New puzzle reshuffles the layout for a fresh version, Reveal answers highlights every hidden word for an instant answer key, and clicking a single word spotlights just that one. When the puzzle looks right, Print opens your browser's print dialog, so you can print it on paper or save the whole thing as a PDF worksheet.
It is completely free — no sign-up, no accounts, and no limit on how many puzzles you make. The entire puzzle is built in your browser with JavaScript, so your word list never leaves your device and nothing is uploaded to a server.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the word search generator free?
- Yes, it is 100% free with no sign-up, no accounts, and no limits on how many puzzles you make. Generate as many word searches as you like.
- Is my data uploaded anywhere?
- No. The entire puzzle is generated locally in your browser using JavaScript. Your word list never leaves your device and nothing is sent to or stored on any server.
- Can I use my own words?
- Yes. Type or paste words into the box, one per line or separated by commas or spaces. Only letters A-Z are used, each word can be 2 to 24 letters, and you can include up to 40 words. Click New puzzle to apply your list.
- Can I make a five-letter word search?
- Yes. Words can be 2 to 24 letters, so a list made up entirely of five-letter words works fine. Paste your five-letter words, one per line, and each one that fits is hidden in the grid. Choose a smaller grid if all your words are short so the puzzle stays compact.
- How do I print the word search?
- Click the Print button to open your browser's print dialog, where you can print to paper or save as a PDF. Reveal answers before printing if you also want an answer key.
- Can I save the word search as a PDF?
- Yes. Click Print and pick "Save as PDF" (or "Microsoft Print to PDF") as the destination in the print dialog instead of a physical printer. That gives you a clean PDF you can email, keep, or print later.
- Can I make word search puzzles for a classroom or worksheet?
- Yes. Type a themed vocabulary or spelling list, generate the puzzle, then Print or save it as a PDF to hand out. Reveal answers first if you also want a marked answer key for grading.
- How do I make an easier word search for kids?
- Turn off the diagonal option so words only run across and down, keep the word list short, and use a smaller grid. Fewer, shorter words with no diagonals makes a gentle puzzle for younger solvers.
- What grid size should I use?
- Match the grid to your longest word and how many words you have: a small grid suits a handful of short words, while a larger grid is needed for long words or a full list of up to 40. If words keep getting skipped, increase the grid size.
- Which directions can words go?
- Words are placed horizontally (left to right), vertically (top to bottom), and diagonally, always reading forward so they are never spelled backward. Turn off the diagonal option for an easier puzzle with only across and down words.
- Why did some of my words get left out?
- If a word is too long for the grid or there is not enough room once other words are placed, it is skipped and listed below the puzzle. Try a larger grid, fewer words, or shorter words to fit them all.