Just pick a theme, adjust your settings, and click to preview, download, and print your puzzle – all in seconds. No account needed, and it’s completely free.
Free online word search maker with instant download options
Why this word search generator is the easiest to use
- Fast and frustration-free – create a custom puzzle in under a minute
- Choose from 50+ popular themes – like Animals, Science, Sight Words, Holidays, Travel, Food & more
- Customize your puzzle – grid size, word direction, and difficulty are all up to you
- Instantly printable – download as a PDF or PNG, no signup needed
- Great for learning – supports spelling, vocabulary, focus, and problem-solving
Easy to set up, fun to solve
Choose your words
Pick from preset themes or enter your own list. You must use at least 5 words, and each word must be at least 3 letters long.
Control your layout
- Max 20 words per puzzle
- Grid size: choose between 10 and 35 rows/columns
- Word directions: horizontal, vertical, diagonal
- Make it easier or harder: allow words to be placed forward, backward, or both
Personalize and print
Add a name to the top of the puzzle, preview your layout, then print or download the puzzle and solution as a PDF or PNG.
Made for anyone, anywhere
This tool is perfect for teachers adding fun to lessons, parents looking for screen-free activities, or anyone who loves puzzles. It’s easy, fast, and totally free – no signups, no hidden steps.
Create your puzzle now – it’s free and ready when you are!
Design your word search puzzle in just a few clicks. With built-in themes and instant download options, it’s never been easier to get started. Give it a try today and see how fun (and educational) word searches can be!
Free sample word search puzzles
Want to see what your puzzle can look like? Check out these two free samples! We’ve included an easy version for kids and a more challenging one for older kids or adults – both come with solution pages.
Explore 25+ free printable word search puzzles with ready-made themes for kids and adults. Download and print your favorites instantly!
More Ways to Play and Create
You might want to give our Free Maze Generator for Kids a try. You can create unique printable maze puzzles in seconds!
I’m trying to make a word search, I put in 20 words and I keep getting a message that says, “You need to choose at least 5 words”
What does this mean?
Hi, Thank you for your message! It seems there’s an issue with the missing comma between words, which is causing the problem with generating the word puzzle. We’ll modify the error message accordingly. Thanks for bringing this to our attention!
Hi, also another suggestion:
The option to alphabetize the word list would be really good!
Nvm my first comment, I figured it out.
The solution list of words at the bottom should really also be in the same exact layout as the puzzle’s list of words, to make it easy to find. Currently the solution’s list of words seems to just be random and makes it hard to find the 1 word that was, say, in the 3rd row 4th column in the puzzle’s list, for example.
Hi Ellie,
As the first commenter on this page, you get a big virtual hug! Thank you for using our free word search generator and for reaching out! Your observation is really helpful, and I’ll pass it on to see what we can do about it!
All the best,
Violet
Is there a limit as to the number of words I can use? It keeps removing half the words I add.