Remindery Apps

Free Word Search Generator

Make your own word search for the classroom or the kitchen table: type in your words, pick the directions and grid size – and print it as a PDF, answer key included.

1Words

Commas work too. Up to 40 words.

2Set up the puzzle

Allowed directions
Grid size
× squares (5 to 25)
Letters
Filler letters
On the sheet
Bigger grid Bigger words

Lots of words? Slide to the left for a smaller word list and a bigger grid.

How many different sheets?

Same words, a new layout on every sheet – handy for groups, so nobody copies. All answer keys come at the end.

Free and unlimited – no sign-up, no ads. Your words stay in your browser.

More puzzles on the go: our Kinder Rätselheft app for phone and tablet has word searches, number pyramids and 28 more kinds of puzzles for ages 6 to 8 – a fresh page every time, no ads, works offline. The app is in German.

Get it on Google Play Available at Amazon Appstore

How the word search generator works

Type your words into the box – this week's spelling list, the guests at a birthday party or vocabulary from a science topic. The generator hides them in the letter grid straight away, and the preview shows exactly the sheet that will print. Don't like the layout? Hit shuffle. If you want, the PDF gets a second page with the answer key, where every word is highlighted.

Which settings for which age?

Ages 5–6 (kindergarten, Reception and Year 1)
Easy (only left to right and top to bottom), 8 × 8 squares, capitals, 6 to 8 short words.
Ages 7–8 (grades 1–2, Years 2–3)
Medium (adds diagonally down to the right), 10 × 10 to 12 × 12 squares, 10 to 12 words.
Ages 8–10 (grades 3–4, Years 4–5)
Hard (all eight directions, backwards too), 15 × 15 squares, lowercase, filler letters only from the words.

Frequently asked questions

What is a word search?
A grid of letters with words hidden in it – across, down, diagonally or backwards. It is also called a word find, word seek or wordsearch puzzle. It is great practice for careful reading and spelling – children hardly notice they are learning.
Is it free? Do I need to sign up?
It's completely free – no sign-up, no ads and no daily limit.
Are my words stored anywhere?
No. The word search is made entirely in your browser and nothing is sent to us. Your words only appear in the link if you copy it.
Can I share my word search?
Yes. “Copy link” gives you an address that opens exactly this word search again – handy for colleagues, a class page or the parents' group chat.
Why doesn't a word fit?
A word needs as many squares as it has letters. If it is longer than the grid, or there is no room left, the generator tells you which word it is. A bigger grid or one more direction usually fixes it.
Will it print on US Letter paper?
Yes. The PDF is A4; choose “Fit to page” in the print dialog and it fits Letter paper with nothing cut off.
Can I copy, change and share the worksheets?
Yes. The worksheets you create are in the public domain (CC0 1.0): copy them, adapt them, share them with colleagues or post them on your school website – no permission or attribution needed. This applies to the worksheets, not to this website or the generator's code.