Guide & Tips: Online Word Search Maker & Generator

Use this free online Word Search Maker to create your own free printable, personalized word search puzzle game in seconds. Great for teachers, students, and parents.
 
1. If you find words are unable to be placed in the puzzle try:
A. Increasing the skill level. As shown below, only 12 words can be hidden when the "Basic" skill level is selected. However, up to 35 words can be hidden when the "Advanced" skill level is selected.
B. Using shorter words.
C. Entering fewer words.
D. Pressing the "Create/Shuffle Puzzle" additional times. Every time you press this button, it will try to randomly place the words in new locations.
 
2. The first words you enter (i.e., located at the top of the textbox) are randomly placed first in the puzzle. As the software goes down your list of words, there are fewer and fewer location for a word to be placed. Since the software only tries a limit number of locations, some words might not be placed in the puzzle. Hence, if there are words you definitely want in the puzzle, then enter these words first.
 
3. Listed below are the "default" directions for the hidden words. However, by pressing "Customize" you can change and override these directions.
Basic
○ 10 x 10 grid
○ Words are hidden:
    Across (→)
    Down (↓)
    Diagonal (↘)
○ Largest font size
○ Hides up to 12 words.
Intermediate
○ 15 x 15 grid
○ Words are hidden:
    Across (→)
    Down (↓)
    Up (↑)
    Diagonal (↗ ↘)
○ Medium font size
○ Hides up to 24 words.
Advanced
○ 20 x 20 grid
○ Words are hidden:
    Across (→)
    Down (↓)
    Up (↑)
    Diagonal (↗ ↘ ↙ ↖)
    Backwards (←)
○ Smaller font size
○ Hides up to 35 words.
 
4. Compound words (e.g., "ice cream") should be entered without spaces (i.e., "icecream"). If spaces are entered, your compound word will be treated as two separate words.
 
5. Let us know if additional directions need to be included here.