Word Search Maker
A free word search generator: paste a word list, choose the size and difficulty, and download a printable word search with its answer key. No sign-up, and nothing is uploaded.
12 words hidden in a 12×12 grid. PDF: 2 pages, the puzzle and its answer key.
GIRAFFEDKGEMBKPTHEBLPUHFZRAOTFSLUZGTELNDIKGPDSEOBIDDGBTEQWLKROAGZIYNSKEOANHRBEYGYSPAOXVBKRYUCBHLTWANEHWINYAATROGSERNYDNZEMIEKDKIRNTNRTURTLEBVWHE
- Elephant
- Giraffe
- Koala
- Lion
- Monkey
- Otter
- Panda
- Penguin
- Rabbit
- Tiger
- Turtle
- Zebra
One word per line, 4 to 40 words. Spaces and punctuation are removed in the grid.
8 to 20 squares a side
Adds diagonals, still read forwards.
How to make your own word search
- Type or paste your words, one per line (4 to 40 words).
- Pick a grid size and a difficulty: easy for early readers, hard for puzzle fans.
- Press Shuffle until you like the grid, and tick Show answers to check it.
- Download the PDF: the puzzle on page one, the answer key on page two.
Tips for a good word search
- Stick to one topic: spelling words of the week, a science unit, the names in your family.
- Mix short and long words. Short words are the hardest to spot, so they keep the puzzle interesting.
- For kids under 7, use Easy with an 8×8 or 10×10 grid and tick Lowercase letters.
- Multi-word answers like “ice cream” are hidden without the space, as ICECREAM.
Frequently asked questions
- How many words fit in a word search?
- A 12×12 grid holds 12 to 15 words of average length comfortably, a 15×15 grid about 20, and a 20×20 grid up to 40. If a word doesn't fit, Print Puzzle Maker tells you which one.
- What's the difference between easy, medium and hard?
- Easy hides words left to right and top to bottom only. Medium adds diagonals. Hard uses all eight directions, so words can also run backwards or upwards.
- Is there an answer key?
- Always. The second page of the PDF shows the same grid with every word highlighted, so you can check answers in seconds.
- Can I make several different puzzles from the same list?
- Yes. Press Shuffle and the words move to new places; download again for a second version, handy for stopping students from copying their neighbor.
- Why didn't one of my words fit?
- Either it is longer than the grid, or the grid is too full to place it without breaking another word. Choose a bigger grid, remove a few words, or shuffle to try new positions.