Word Search Puzzle Maker
Type your words, choose how big the grid is and which directions to hide them, and get an instant word search with a matching answer key. Every puzzle is built from a seed, so the same words and settings always rebuild the exact same grid, and any word that will not fit is listed so you can shorten it or grow the grid.
How to make a word search
- Enter your words, one per line or separated by commas.
- Set the grid size and pick which directions are allowed.
- Press New puzzle for a fresh layout, then print or download the grid and answer key.
Examples
A 12 by 12 puzzle
words = TYPESCRIPT, REGISTRY, SITEMAP, ENGINE, FACTORY; size = 12 x 12
a filled letter grid hiding every word, plus a highlighted answer key
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my own list of words?
Yes. Paste any words, one per line or separated by commas. Letters are uppercased and spaces and punctuation are ignored when hiding a word, so a phrase like ice cream is hidden as ICECREAM. Duplicates are removed automatically.
What if a word does not fit?
The generator tries every position and direction for each word, placing the longest ones first. Any word that still will not fit in the chosen grid is listed under unplaced, so you can make the grid bigger, allow more directions or shorten the word.
Which directions can words run?
Up to eight: left to right, right to left, top to bottom, bottom to top, and all four diagonals. Turn off backwards words for an easier puzzle, or limit it to horizontal and vertical only for young solvers.
How does the seed work?
The seed feeds a deterministic random number generator, so the same words, size, directions and seed always rebuild the identical puzzle. Share the seed and anyone can recreate your exact grid, or change it to roll a new layout.
Is my word list sent to a server?
No. The grid is built, filled and rendered entirely in your browser, so your words are never uploaded anywhere.
Learn more
- How a word search generator works
How words get placed across eight directions, why longer words go first, and how the empty cells are filled to hide the answers.
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