Create Custom Word Search Puzzles with This Word Search Maker
At a Glance
This free online Word Search Maker generates custom printable word search puzzles for Kindergarten through Grade 4 and really, anyone who enjoys a good word hunt. Enter up to 20 words, choose from three grid sizes and three difficulty levels, toggle between uppercase and lowercase, and download a print-ready PDF with an answer sheet included.
Welcome to our word search maker, a great tool for creating your own custom word puzzles!
Whether you call them word searches, word finds, word seeks, or word sleuths, we’ve all done one and know that these engaging puzzles are a super fun way to boost vocabulary and problem-solving skills.
This word search maker has options to choose from three different sizes, various difficulty levels, and even toggle between upper or lowercase letters (which might be easier for your younger readers).
This easy-to-use tool generates your word search puzzle directly on screen, and with a click, you can then download it and print as a high-quality PDF.
Perfect for teachers, students, parents, or anyone who loves a good brain-teasing activity!
Follow the simple instructions below to create your own word search worksheets!
How To Use
This word search generator is super simple to use!
Just enter a title if required.
Then enter the list of words you want to search for.
Choose your grid size.
After that, choose the difficulty – the options are:
- across and down only
- across, down and diagonally
- across, down, diagonally and backwards!
Then choose whether you want upper or lower case letters.
Press the generate puzzle button.
After the word find has been created, you can save it and/or the answer sheet to pdf by clicking on the download buttons.
Hooray!
Create a Word Search
The printed worksheet should look someting like this:
Hope your little learners enjoy finding those words – scroll down to get started! Or check out our other worksheet and game makers here.
And if you want access to hundreds of readymade worksheets, awesome activities and hands-on crafts, become a member today and get INSTANT access to the ENTIRE printable library!
Or if you were just after a few custom word searches, but found this tool useful, please consider giving us a little share… Thanks!
If you can’t see the word search maker – it’s probably because you’re on a mobile device. You can try switching your device to landscape mode or if that doesn’t work, try again on a PC or laptop.
Thanks!
Word Search Worksheet Maker
Create printable word search puzzles in seconds!
🔍 Build Your Word Search
Preview
Enjoy!
FAQ
It generates a custom printable word search puzzle based on the words you enter. Choose your grid size, difficulty, and letter case, hit Generate, and the puzzle is built on screen instantly. Download the student worksheet and a matching answer sheet as PDFs – both ready to print in seconds.
It works well from Kindergarten through Grade 3, though it really suits anyone who enjoys a word hunt – the difficulty settings mean you can make it accessible for young beginners or genuinely challenging for older learners and adults too. The lowercase option and smaller grid size make it particularly friendly for early readers.
It’s great for classroom teachers, homeschool parents, tutors, and anyone who wants a fun, low-prep activity. Use it for literacy centers, early finisher tasks, morning work, homework, topic-based vocabulary practice, holiday activities, or just a quiet, enjoyable brain workout. Because you choose the words, it works across any subject and any age group.
You can include up to 20 words per puzzle, with a maximum of 20 characters per word. Enter them one per line or comma-separated on a single line.
There are three grid sizes: Easy (12 x 8), Medium (18 x 12), and Hard (24 x 16). Smaller grids are more manageable for younger learners, while larger grids give you more space for longer word lists and a more challenging hunt.
There are three difficulty settings. “Across and down only” keeps words running left-to-right and top-to-bottom – the most accessible option for beginners. “+ Diagonals” adds words running diagonally across the grid. “All directions (including backwards)” is the toughest level, with words hidden in every possible direction.
Yes. You can toggle between UPPERCASE and lowercase letters. Lowercase can be easier for younger readers who are still building letter recognition, while uppercase is the more traditional word search format.
Yes – there’s a “Show word list” toggle. When it’s on, the words to find are printed beneath the grid on the worksheet so learners know exactly what they’re looking for. Turn it off if you want a harder challenge where they have to remember the words themselves.
Yes. An answer sheet with the hidden words highlighted is generated alongside every puzzle and downloads as a separate PDF at the click of a button.
The tool is designed to work on a PC or laptop. If you’re on a mobile device, try switching to landscape mode first. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to access it on a PC or laptop for the full experience.
