Free word search puzzle generator. No signup, no watermark, no ads.
Paste your spelling words, vocabulary list, class names, or any themed words and this maker places every single one on a clean grid. Choose your grid size, tap a difficulty level, add an optional hidden phrase, generate, and either print straight to PDF or download a PNG. Answer key included.
Preview
Your words never leave this browser.
How to use this word search maker
Type or paste up to 60 words - one per line is easiest (commas and spaces are fine too). Spelling lists, vocabulary words, class names, or holiday-themed words all work. Non-letter characters are cleaned automatically.
Auto fit picks the smallest grid that fits all your words. Pick Custom to fix the size yourself (6x6 for younger kids, 15x15 for a standard letter-size worksheet, up to 30x30 for a challenge). Difficulty controls which of the 8 directions are used.
Click Generate Puzzle. Every word is placed by a backtracking algorithm - if a word cannot fit, you will be told exactly which one instead of it being silently dropped. Reshuffle gives you a fresh layout with the same settings.
Print / PDF opens a clean print layout (choose Save as PDF in the print dialog for a file). Download PNG gives you a crisp image for worksheets. Copy Grid Text lets you paste the puzzle into a document. Tick "Include answers when printing" for the answer key.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a word search?
Type or paste your words (one per line is easiest, commas and spaces also work), pick a grid size and difficulty, then click Generate Puzzle. Every word is placed with a backtracking algorithm so nothing is silently dropped, and the puzzle is ready to print or download in seconds.
Is the word search maker really free?
Yes. No signup, no account, no watermark, no daily limit. Everything runs in your browser, so your word list and puzzle never leave your device.
Can I print the word search or save it as a PDF?
Yes. Click Print / PDF to open a clean print layout, then choose Save as PDF in the print dialog. Or click Download PNG for an image you can insert into a worksheet or share digitally.
Is there an answer key?
Yes. Tick Show answers to highlight every placed word in the preview, and tick "Include answers when printing" to add the highlighted solution to the printable sheet. The word list is also always shown below the grid.
How many words can I add?
Up to 60 words. Words must be 2 to 20 letters long. The tool warns you about any word that could not be placed instead of silently skipping it - just pick a larger grid or remove a couple of long words.
Can I hide a secret message inside the puzzle?
Yes. Type a phrase in the Hidden message field and it will be placed down the main diagonal of the grid. Words and filler letters are placed around it so the message reads cleanly once found.
What do the difficulty levels do?
Easy places words left to right and top to bottom. Medium adds diagonals. Hard adds backwards placements. You can also pick Custom and tick exactly which of the 8 directions to use - handy for simplifying puzzles for younger students.
Can my students solve it online?
Yes. Switch on Solve mode and the grid becomes interactive - click or drag across letters to mark words as you find them. Great for a no-print classroom activity or homework assignment.
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