Printables / Puzzles
Word Search Generator
Make a printable word search from your own list of words, in any language, from an 8 × 8 grid to 20 × 20, with easy, medium, or hard directions and an answer key.
Word Search Generator: The generator places the longest words first, in random positions and directions, letting words cross where their letters match, then fills the empty squares with random letters. The filler letters include any accented letters in your words, such as Ñ or Ü, so they do not give the words away. A word that cannot fit is listed so you can enlarge the grid. Runs 100% locally in your browser with zero server file uploads.
- Category
- School & study tools
- Runs
- In your browser
- Cost
- Free · no sign-up
- Availability
- Ready to use
Runs entirely in your browser
Fruit
- apple
- banana
- cherry
- grape
- lemon
- mango
- orange
- peach
- pear
- plum
Fruit · Answers
- apple
- banana
- cherry
- grape
- lemon
- mango
- orange
- peach
- pear
- plum
Word searches for learning
Teachers use word searches to practise spelling and vocabulary: spotting a word letter by letter makes children look at its exact spelling. Themed lists work well, such as the week's spelling words, the names of planets, or vocabulary in a new language.
Keep words for young children short and in the easy directions; older children enjoy the hard mode with backwards words. For number practice alongside, print a maths worksheet.
More puzzles
For logic rather than letters, try the sudoku generator; for pencil-and-finger fun with younger children, the maze generator.
How to use it
- Give the puzzle a title and type your words, one per line.
- Choose the grid size and difficulty: across and down, with diagonals, or backwards too.
- Press New puzzle until you like the layout, then print the puzzle and its answers.
Privacy & limitations
Everything is generated in your browser; your word list is kept only in this browser.
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
How many words fit?
Roughly, the letters of all the words together should take up less than half the squares. A 12 × 12 grid holds about 12 to 15 medium-length words comfortably; for more, choose a larger grid.
Can I use words in other languages?
Yes. Letters are kept as you type them, accents included, and spaces and hyphens are removed, so ice cream becomes ICECREAM in the grid while the word list shows ice cream.
What do the difficulty levels change?
Easy places words left to right and top to bottom only. Medium adds diagonals. Hard adds every direction, including backwards, which makes words much harder to spot.
Will the puzzle print at a good size?
The grid prints 16 cm wide on A4 or Letter, with the word list below. Use Print the answers for the key, with each word highlighted.
Free tool · runs in your browser · no account required