How to Play Word Search

Rules and tips for word search puzzles, for first-time players.

How to play Word Search

1
The words in the list are hidden in a square grid of letters.
2
Each word runs in a straight line. On Easy, words go left to right and top to bottom; Medium adds diagonals (down-right and up-right); Hard hides words in all eight directions, including backwards.
3
Drag from the first letter of a word to its last letter. The word is circled on the grid and crossed off the list.
4
Words can cross and share letters. Find every word in the list to solve the puzzle.
5
The grid uses capital letters only, so spaces and punctuation never appear.

Tips for finding words faster

Start with words that contain rare letters such as Q, X, Z or J; they stand out in the grid.
When you spot the first letter of a word, check the eight letters around it for the second letter.
Long words often run from one edge of the grid to the other. On Hard, words can be backwards, so try searching from the last letter too.
Stuck? Use Hint to highlight the first letter of a word you haven't found yet.

Play Word Search →

FAQ

Is Word Search free to play?

Yes, and there's no sign-up. Play right in your browser on a phone, tablet or computer.

Is it a new puzzle every time?

Yes. Each puzzle is made on the spot. Before it's shown, a program checks that every word in the list appears in the grid exactly once.

Can I choose a theme?

Yes. Pick from ten themes: animals, fruits, vegetables, colors, sports, countries, food, transport, musical instruments and things at home. Random mixes words from every theme.

Which directions are the words in?

Easy: across and down. Medium: across, down and the two forward diagonals. Hard: all eight directions, including backwards.

Can I print a word search?

Yes. Press Print to print the grid and the word list. Words you've found aren't marked on the printout, so you can play on paper from the start.

Can I continue later?

Yes. On the same device and browser, you can pick up where you left off for each size.

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