Word Search Maker
Word Search Maker is a free tool for making printable word search puzzles from your own word list. Choose a grid from 8x8 to 20x20 and which directions words can run, hide a secret message in the leftover letters, and make up to 40 different versions so every student gets their own puzzle. It creates a Letter or A4 PDF with an answer key, and kids can also play on screen. It runs in your browser, so your words are never uploaded.
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Type or paste your words, pick a grid size and directions, and get a printable word search with an answer key. Hide a secret message in the leftover letters, make up to 40 different versions so no two students have the same puzzle, or let kids play it right on the screen.
Fills the leftover squares, so students who find every word can read it from the letters that are left.
Play here: drag across a word, or click its first letter and then its last letter.
Your puzzle will appear here. Pick a sample or type your own words, then click Make word search.
How to Make a Word Search
Step by step
- Type or paste your words, one per line or separated by commas, and give the puzzle a title.
- Pick a grid size from 8x8 to 20x20 and the directions words can run. Turn off diagonals and backwards words for young kids.
- Add a hidden message if you like. It fills the squares that aren't part of any word.
- Set the number of versions to make a different puzzle for every student, from 1 to 40.
- Click Make word search, try it on screen, and download the PDF with the answer key.
Is this word search maker free?
Yes. It's free with no sign-up, no watermark and no limit on how many puzzles you make. The puzzles and the PDF are made in your browser, and your word list is never uploaded. See our Privacy Policy.
How does the hidden message work?
After every word is placed, the message is written into the leftover squares from left to right, top to bottom. When students circle every word, the letters that are left spell the message. The printed page shows blanks for each word of the message so they know how many letters to look for. If the message is longer than the number of free squares, the tool tells you to use a bigger grid, fewer words or a shorter message.
Can I make different versions for each student?
Yes. Set Versions to the number of students, up to 40. Every version uses the same words in a different arrangement, so neighbors can't copy each other. Each page is labeled with its version number, and the answer key for each version follows it or is collected at the end.
What grid size should I use?
For kindergarten and first grade, try a 10x10 grid with 6 to 8 short words running across and down. For grades 2 to 5, 12x12 to 15x15 with diagonals works well. For older students and adults, use 15x15 to 20x20 and turn on backwards words. The grid must be at least as wide as your longest word.
Can I use phrases or words with spaces?
Yes. Spaces, hyphens and apostrophes are left out of the grid, so "ice cream" is hidden as ICECREAM, but the word bank shows it the way you typed it. Accented letters are hidden without the accent. Numbers aren't used.
Can every word only be found once?
Yes. The maker checks the finished grid and reshuffles if a word shows up twice by accident. A short word that is part of a longer one, like SUN in SUNFLOWER, is allowed to appear inside it, and it is also hidden on its own.
Can kids play it online?
Yes. After you make the puzzle, drag across a word on the grid (or click its first and last letters). Found words are highlighted and crossed off the list. It works with a mouse, on a touch screen or on an interactive whiteboard.