Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about making, printing and playing word searches here. Can’t find yours? Email us.
Making
How do I make my own word search?
Open the word search maker, type or paste 3 to 40 words (one per line or separated by commas), choose Easy, Medium or Hard, and select Generate Puzzle. You can play it right away or download it as a PDF with an answer key. It takes about a minute and needs no account.
Is the word search maker really free?
Yes. Making, playing, printing and downloading PDFs are all free, with no sign-up, email or watermark. There are no paid tiers.
What is the difference between Easy, Medium and Hard?
Easy places words only across (left to right) and down. Medium adds two diagonals: down-right and up-right. Hard allows all eight directions, including backward. Difficulty never changes the print size — any level can be printed in large print.
Why did the maker say my puzzle could not be created?
The maker only shows a puzzle when every word appears exactly once. If your words are too long for the grid, too many for the space, or form each other backward or inside each other, it explains the problem and offers a fix such as a larger grid, more directions, or removing a word. Your words are kept as you typed them.
Can I use phrases, accents or apostrophes?
Yes. Spaces, apostrophes and hyphens are removed in the grid, and accents are simplified, so “Crème brûlée” becomes CREMEBRULEE. The word list still shows the phrase as you typed it. Characters that cannot be written with A–Z, such as digits or emoji, are flagged so you can change them.
What is a hidden message word search?
A puzzle where the letters left over after finding every word spell a secret message when read left to right, top to bottom. The maker checks that the leftover letters spell your message exactly. Extra squares are shown as shaded blanks.
Printing
Does every printable word search come with an answer key?
Yes. In Print & PDF you can download the puzzle only, the answer key only, or both. The answer key uses the same grid and shows the same puzzle ID in the footer, so keys never get mixed up.
How big is the text in large print?
Large print PDFs use grid letters of at least 18 points and a word list of 16 points when printed at actual size (100%). On US Letter that fits grids up to 18×18; on A4 up to 17×17. If a grid is too large, the site tells you instead of shrinking the letters.
Can I print on A4 paper?
Yes. Choose US Letter or A4 before downloading. Each layout is calculated for that paper size, so nothing is cut off or scaled down.
Can I print several puzzles at once?
Yes. In the printable library, tick up to 10 puzzles to download them as one PDF with labeled puzzles and matching answer keys. Teachers can also make up to 10 different versions of one word list.
Playing
How do I play on a phone or tablet?
Drag your finger along a word, or tap its first letter and then its last letter. Use the zoom buttons below the board for bigger squares; large boards scroll inside their own frame and the page itself still scrolls normally.
Can I play with a keyboard?
Yes. Tab into the grid, move with the arrow keys, press Enter or Space on the first letter of a word, move to the last letter, and press Enter or Space again. Escape cancels.
When does the daily word search change?
Every day at midnight UTC. Everyone gets the same puzzle on the same date. If midnight passes while you are playing, your puzzle stays open and the new one is offered.
Privacy & saving
Where are my puzzles saved?
In your browser on this device only. Saves do not sync to other devices and are lost if you clear this site’s data, so export a backup file from Saved if a puzzle matters to you.
Are share links private?
No. A share link contains the whole puzzle, including any hidden message, and anyone with the link can read it. It is not encrypted. Do not include private information in a puzzle you share.
Do you upload or keep my word lists?
No. Puzzles and PDFs are generated in your browser. Custom words, titles and messages are not sent to our server, to analytics or to advertisers.