Word Search Maker
Create a printable word search puzzle from your own word list, with adjustable grid size, difficulty and an answer key.
Results
The 7ESL Word Search Maker turns any list of words into a printable word search puzzle in seconds. Type your words, choose a grid size and difficulty, and the maker builds the puzzle, fills the empty squares with random letters and lays everything out ready to print, complete with a name-and-date line, a word bank and a separate answer key page for the teacher.
How to make a word search
Enter up to twenty words, one per line or separated by commas. Pick a grid from 10 x 10 for younger learners up to 20 x 20 for a real challenge, then set the difficulty: Easy hides words across and down only, Medium adds diagonals, and Hard also hides words backwards in every direction. Click the button to see a live preview of the grid; if a word is too long for the grid the maker tells you instead of silently dropping it. When the puzzle looks right, one click opens a clean print view: page one is the puzzle with its word bank, page two is the answer key with every hidden word highlighted. Use your browser's print dialog to print on paper or save as a PDF.
Why teachers use word searches
A word search is one of the gentlest vocabulary exercises there is: students scan for letter patterns, which reinforces spelling and word shape without the pressure of recall. That makes word searches ideal as warm-ups, early-finisher tasks, homework, and end-of-unit reviews. They work for any subject, not just English class: spelling lists, science vocabulary, sight words, the months of the year, even names in the class. Because the puzzle is generated fresh each time, you can press the button again for a different layout of the same words and hand neighbouring students different grids.
Tips for a better puzzle
Keep the grid close to the length of your longest word so the puzzle stays dense. For beginners, choose Easy and a small grid so every word reads left-to-right or top-to-bottom. For revision with older students, Hard on a 15 x 15 grid takes a typical class five to ten minutes. If you want a complete activity sheet rather than a single puzzle, the Worksheet Generator can combine a mini word search with scrambles and spelling practice, and the Spelling List Generator will pick level-appropriate words for you.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make my own word search?
Type your words into the box (one per line or separated by commas), choose a grid size and difficulty, and click Generate. You get an instant preview, and the print view produces the puzzle, a word bank and a separate answer key page.
Can I print the word search or save it as a PDF?
Yes. The print button opens a clean print view; from your browser's print dialog you can send it to a printer or choose Save as PDF. The answer key prints as its own page so you can keep it back.
How many words can the puzzle contain?
Up to twenty words per puzzle. Each word must fit inside the grid, so a 10 x 10 grid takes words of up to ten letters; if a word is too long the maker tells you and you can switch to a bigger grid.
What do the difficulty levels change?
Easy hides words across and down only. Medium adds diagonal words. Hard also allows backwards words in all eight directions, which makes the puzzle considerably harder to scan.
Is the word search maker free?
Yes, completely. There is no account, no watermark and no download limit, and the puzzle is generated in your browser so your word list is never uploaded.