How the word search generator works
Your list, your way
Add 3–20 words of 2–15 letters, separated by commas or new lines. Spaces, hyphens and accents are converted, and every change is shown before you print.
Two familiar levels
Starter hides words across and down. Explorer adds a diagonal. Neither uses backward words.
Every word placed
The grid grows from 10 × 10 up to 20 × 20 until every word fits. If one can’t be placed, you’ll be told which — never a puzzle with a missing word.
Stays on your device
Puzzles are made in your browser and never uploaded. Close the page and your list is gone.
Ideas for your word list
This week’s spelling words
Finding each word letter by letter is a gentle way to practice a school spelling list at home.
A book you’re reading
Use character names and places from a favorite story, then talk about who is who.
Family and friends
Names of cousins, classmates or pets make a puzzle feel personal. Choose Explorer to give long names a diagonal to hide along.
A party or a trip
Birthday guests, a vacation spot or things to spot on a road trip all make a good list.
Want a head start? Open any theme — animals, Thanksgiving, summer, Halloween or Christmas — and choose “Customize this word search” to begin from its word list.
Tips for a puzzle kids can finish
- For younger children, 6–8 short words in a 10 × 10 grid is plenty. Twenty words can be a long afternoon.
- Mix word lengths. A list of only long words fills the grid and leaves little room for filler letters to hide them.
- Avoid words that are almost the same, like Cat and Cats. Children will find one inside the other and feel confused.
- Read the list aloud together before starting, so every word is familiar before the search begins.
- Keep the title short. It prints at the top of the page, and a short one looks neater.
Frequently asked questions
How many words can I add?
Between 3 and 20 different words, each 2–15 letters long. If two entries become the same after spaces and accents are removed, they are merged and you’ll see which one was kept.
Why was a word not placed?
Usually the grid is too small for the list: you chose a small size yourself, or many long words won’t fit even at 20 × 20. Try a bigger grid or fewer words. The generator never hands you a puzzle with a missing word.
Are my words saved or uploaded?
No. The puzzle is made in your browser and your list is never sent anywhere. It is kept only while the page is open, so download your PDFs before you close it.
Can I use capital letters, spaces or accents?
Yes. The word list keeps your spelling, including capitals, spaces and hyphens. In the grid, letters are shown in capitals, spaces and hyphens are removed, and accented letters like é become e.
Does the generator make an answer key?
Yes. Every puzzle has a separate answer key with the same puzzle ID, in US Letter or A4.
What does “Rearrange puzzle” do?
It keeps your words but arranges them in a new grid, with a new puzzle ID. Switching between US Letter and A4 never changes the letters.