free printable maker
Word search maker
Type your words, or pick a spelling, sight word or phonics list, and get a word search in seconds. Choose the grid size and directions (across and down for little ones, diagonal and backwards for a challenge), play it on screen, or print it with an answer key.
Directions: across and down, plus
Type a few words (two letters or more), or choose a list.
How to use the word search maker
- Type or paste your words (up to 24), or choose a spelling, sight word or phonics list, and give the puzzle a title.
- Pick a grid size (or let it fit the words), uppercase or lowercase letters, and the directions: across and down to start, with diagonal and backwards for older children.
- Play it right on the page by tapping the first and last letter of each word, or press "Print with answer key" for the puzzle and a key page with every word highlighted.
Tips for teachers and parents
- For kindergarten and 1st grade, use 6 to 8 short words, a small grid, lowercase letters and across and down only: that's how children read.
- Use this week's spelling words: hunting for a word letter by letter makes children look closely at how it's spelled.
- After the puzzle, ask children to write each word they found in a sentence, or sort the words by their spelling pattern.
- Turn on diagonal and backwards for fast finishers, or race in pairs with "New puzzle" for a fresh grid with the same words.
Puzzles that are fair to young readers
Words are placed only in the directions you choose, and the leftover squares are filled with common letters, so rare letters like Q, X and Z don't give a word away. Words can share a letter where they cross, and any word too long for the grid is listed so you can choose a bigger size. Each puzzle has a number in its link, so printing it again gives the same grid as the one on screen.
Questions people ask
- Is the word search maker free?
- Yes. Making, playing and printing word searches is free, with no sign-up.
- How many words can a word search have?
- Up to 24 words of 2 to 18 letters. For young children, 6 to 10 words is plenty.
- Can I make it easier or harder?
- Yes. Across and down only, a small grid and lowercase letters are easiest. Diagonal words, backwards words and a bigger grid make it harder.
- Are my words saved?
- No. They stay in your browser, and the print link carries them in its address so the puzzle can be printed. Nothing is stored.
- Does it work on a tablet?
- Yes. Tap the first letter of a word and then its last letter to circle it. It works with a finger, a mouse or a stylus.
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