About the Word Search Generator
Word Search Generator makes a printable word search puzzle from your own list of words. Type or paste the words, choose a grid size from 10 by 10 to 20 by 20 and a difficulty (easy puts words across and down, medium adds diagonals and hard hides words in all eight directions, including backwards), and the page builds the puzzle with random filler letters and a checklist of the words to find. Switch on the answer key for the teacher's copy, press New layout for a different arrangement, print it or download it as a PNG or SVG picture. Everything is made in your browser.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Word Search Generator
- 1Give the puzzle a title and type your words, one per line.
- 2Choose the grid size and the difficulty.
- 3Press New layout until you like the arrangement.
- 4Turn on Show the answers for the teacher's copy.
- 5Print the page or download the PNG or SVG.
Choosing words
Pick words around a theme, such as a topic in class, a holiday, a book or a family event. Use 8 to 20 words for a good puzzle. Mix long and short words, and avoid words that are very similar, which makes the puzzle confusing. For young children, use short words and the easy level.
Picking the right size
A bigger grid is easier, because the words are spread out, while a small grid packed with words is harder. As a guide, 10 by 10 suits 8 or fewer short words, 15 by 15 suits 15 to 20 words and 20 by 20 suits a long list or long words.
- Children: easy, 10 × 10 or 12 × 12
- Family fun: medium, 15 × 15
- Challenge: hard, 20 × 20
Use in the classroom
Word searches reinforce spelling and vocabulary. Ask students to circle the word and then write a sentence for each. Print the answer key for marking. For a bigger challenge, give clues instead of the list.
Related tools
Make a printable maze with the Maze Generator, solve puzzles with the Sudoku Solver and try Hangman. The Random Word Generator suggests words, and the Crossword-style Anagram Checker helps with letters.
Features
- Your own words and title
- Grids from 10 × 10 to 20 × 20
- Easy, medium and hard directions
- Answer key highlights
- Print, PNG and SVG
- Private: nothing is uploaded
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a word search?
Type your words, choose a grid size and press the page's New layout button. The words are placed in the grid and the rest is filled with random letters.
What do the difficulty levels mean?
Easy hides words left to right and top to bottom. Medium adds diagonals. Hard allows all eight directions, including backwards and up.
How long can the words be?
As long as the grid. A 10 by 10 grid fits words up to 10 letters. Words that do not fit are listed so that you can change the size.
What happens to spaces and punctuation?
They are removed and letters are made capital, so ice cream becomes ICECREAM.
Can I print it for a class?
Yes. Press Print, or download the picture and add it to a worksheet. Turn on the answer key to print a teacher's copy.
Are words repeated?
Duplicate words are removed. Words shorter than three letters are ignored.
Can I make a puzzle in another language?
Only the letters A to Z are supported.
How do I make the puzzle harder?
Use a bigger grid, choose the hard level and add more words. Words written backwards and diagonally are much harder to spot.
Can I change the title?
Yes. Type your own title and it appears at the top of the printed page.
Is it free to use in school?
Yes, with no sign-up. The puzzles you make are yours to use.