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Puzzlino
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Word search maker

Type your words, choose a grid size and difficulty, and Puzzlino builds a printable word search for you, complete with a separate answer sheet. Free, and no account needed.

24 words

One word per line, or separated by commas. Up to 60 words.

Difficulty

Easier for young readers.

Off: accents are removed in the grid (é becomes E).

Same words, settings and code give the same puzzle.

Preview

24 words placed in a 16 × 16 grid.

My puzzle

EEEZEBRATEAEECLTKRKFTDAEELEPHANTNPALLESOHRAEIMKGIENTIRNFBEARNEMIUDGCOGLHXEDWWLERCOAHNOWOLOOGWETAONROWWFEGWDCESOFWKOACERLALFETHAFEEOGBRLARESPKEOEPYOEIBMSIITAAUIGHLHUOMIOONFRHSYSRCQMTSFTNWHRVREHPSAGWERBIKEOASTECOOOSOOPEGETCSMEOFEATOGIIIPYTLNPADUTFWETVGESNKRE

Find these words

  • Elephant
  • Giraffe
  • Lion
  • Tiger
  • Zebra
  • Monkey
  • Kangaroo
  • Bear
  • Wolf
  • Fox
  • Rabbit
  • Hedgehog
  • Squirrel
  • Horse
  • Cow
  • Sheep
  • Pig
  • Goat
  • Donkey
  • Owl
  • Parrot
  • Frog
  • Tortoise
  • Camel

Same words, a different grid per version, each with its own answer sheet.

How it works

  1. Add a title if you like, then type your words, one per line or separated by commas. You can use up to 60 words of 2 to 25 letters each.
  2. Pick a grid size from 10 x 10 up to 25 x 25 squares, or let Puzzlino choose a size automatically.
  3. Choose the difficulty and decide whether the word list should appear on the printout.
  4. Check the live preview. Shuffle for a new layout as often as you like, and switch the solution on or off to see where every word is hidden.
  5. Download the PDF or print straight away. Page 1 is the puzzle, page 2 is the answer sheet.

Tips for a good word search

  • Difficulty, grid size and word count work together. On easy, words only run left to right and top to bottom; on medium they can also run diagonally; on hard they can go backwards too, in all eight directions.
  • For young children or people with low vision, choose easy, a small grid and around 8 to 12 words. Bigger letters and fewer distractions make the puzzle much more pleasant.
  • A large grid with only a few words is mostly filler letters, which makes it harder and slower. A small grid crammed with long words may not fit; if that happens, Puzzlino lists the words that did not fit and suggests a larger grid, so nothing is left out silently.
  • Hiding the word list makes the puzzle a real challenge. You could give the topic or the number of words as a hint instead.
  • Spaces and hyphens are left out of the grid, but the word list shows each word exactly as you typed it. Duplicate words are removed automatically.
  • Words in other languages can keep their accented letters (é, ü, ñ, ç) in the grid, or be written without accents. The letter ß always becomes SS.

In the classroom

A word search is an easy way to work on new vocabulary: this week's spelling list, key terms from a science topic or words in a foreign language. Searching for each word helps pupils remember how it is spelled, and the sheet works well as an early-finisher task, a quiet starter or the last activity before a break.

Every puzzle has a short puzzle code. The same words, settings and code always produce the same puzzle again, so you can recreate a worksheet later without saving anything.

For seniors and memory training

Word searches are popular in care homes and day centres because almost everyone knows how they work. Choose a familiar topic, such as old songs, local places or the season, and the puzzle often becomes a starting point for conversation.

For residents with poorer eyesight or concentration, keep the grid small and the difficulty on easy. You can always print a harder version for the keen puzzlers in the group.

At home

A homemade word search is a nice extra for a birthday party, a family get-together or a long car journey. Fill it with names of places you have visited, family pets or things your child is excited about, and it instantly feels personal.

Frequently asked questions

Is the word search maker really free?

Yes. You can make and print as many word searches as you like without an account, and there are no ads.

How many words can I use?

Up to 60 words, each between 2 and 25 letters long. For most printed sheets, 10 to 25 words give the best balance.

What happens if a word does not fit?

Puzzlino tells you which words could not be placed and suggests a larger grid. You can then increase the grid size, shorten the list or shuffle for a new layout.

Can I make the same puzzle again later?

Yes. Every puzzle has a puzzle code; with the same words, settings and code you get exactly the same puzzle. Puzzles are not saved on the site, so note down the code if you want to reuse it.

Which paper sizes are supported?

You can download the PDF in A4 or US Letter. You can also print directly from your browser.

Can children solve the puzzle on screen?

No, Puzzlino makes puzzles for printing. Online solving is not available.

Are the words I type stored?

Anonymous usage statistics are stored to improve the site, and these include the words and settings you enter. No IP address or user ID is kept; the privacy page explains the details.