Word search maker
Type your words, choose a size and get a puzzle to play, print or send to someone. Nothing is stored on our server: the puzzle lives in its link.
Make a word search in four steps
Name it
Give your puzzle a title, such as "Mia's birthday" or "Week 6 spelling". It appears above the grid and on the printed sheet.
Add your words
Type up to 30 words, one per line. Names, school words, words in a language you are learning: anything made of letters works.
Choose size and directions
Pick the grid size and how the words may run: easy (across and down), medium (adds diagonals) or hard (all eight directions, backwards too).
Generate and play
Press Generate and the puzzle appears right here, ready to play, share or print. Not happy with the layout? Generate again.
Here is what a small birthday puzzle with four words might look like once it has been solved:
Share it with a link
When your puzzle is ready, press Share to get a link. Whoever opens it gets exactly your puzzle, with your title and your words, and can play it in the browser on any device. Nothing is uploaded: the whole puzzle is stored inside the link itself, after the # sign, so we never see or keep your words, and the link keeps working as long as you have it. The flip side is that anyone you send the link to can see every word in it, so leave out anything private.
Print it
The Print button works here just as it does in the other games. You get a clean sheet with your title, the grid and the word list, and you can add an answer key on a second page. For a class set, print once and photocopy, or generate a few versions of the same word list so that neighbors get different grids. More printing advice is on the printable puzzles page.
Ideas for your own puzzles
Spelling and vocabulary
This week's spelling words, science terms or the words of a new unit. Searching for a word means paying attention to every letter of it.
Parties and events
Guest names for a birthday table, baby shower words, a wedding puzzle for the kids' table, or a quiz round for a family reunion.
Language learning
Words in the language you are studying. Switch the site to that language first so the grid uses its alphabet and letters.
A personal message
Hide your friends' names, inside jokes or places you visited together, and send the link as a small surprise.
Word search maker: questions
How many words can I add?
Up to 30. Each word must fit in the grid you choose; if a word is too long, the maker tells you so you can pick a bigger grid or a shorter word. Spaces, hyphens and apostrophes are removed in the grid, so ICE CREAM is hidden as ICECREAM.
Are my puzzles saved on your server?
No. The puzzle is stored in the share link itself, so nothing is saved on our server. Keep the link if you want to play or print the puzzle again later.
Can I use the maker for free in my classroom?
Yes. The maker is free for everyone, with no account. You may print and copy the puzzles you make for your class, family or club.
More word games from us
SquaresConnect letters to form words(opens in a new tab)
CombinationsMake words from a letter grid(opens in a new tab)
StrandsFind the themed words in a grid(opens in a new tab)
WordWaffleSwap letters to fix six words(opens in a new tab)
WeaverChange one letter at a time(opens in a new tab)
Spelling BeeMake words from seven letters(opens in a new tab)
ConnectionsSort 16 words into four groups(opens in a new tab)
WordleGuess the word in six tries(opens in a new tab)