Quick Rules
A word search is a square of letters with a list of words hidden inside it. Your job is to find every word on the list. There is no score, no clock and no way to lose.
- Every word sits in a straight line. Words never bend or skip a letter.
- The level sets the directions. Easy is across and down. Normal adds slanted words. Hard adds words spelled backwards.
- Mark a word by dragging from one end to the other, or by tapping its first letter and then its last letter.
- A found word gets a colored band in the grid and is crossed off the list with a check mark.
- Stuck? Press Hint and the first letter of a word you have not found is ringed.
Twenty-Five Themes to Choose From
Every puzzle has a theme, and all its words belong to it: garden flowers, backyard birds, things in the kitchen, baking day, US states, trees, weather, fishing, quilting and sewing, the toolbox, fruit, vegetables, dogs, musical instruments, the beach, camping, a road trip, holidays, colors, the farm, and more. Pick a favorite with New Puzzle, or choose "Surprise me" and let the puzzle number decide. The words are everyday ones you will know, with no trick spellings.
Puzzles are made fresh in your browser, so you will not run out. Each one has a number. Type the same number into Settings on another day, or share it with a friend, and the very same puzzle comes back.
Tips for Finding Words Faster
- Hunt for the odd letters. A Q, Z, X, J or K is rare in the grid, so a word with one is quick to spot.
- Look for double letters. The LL in WILLOW or the EE in BREEZE stands out.
- Sweep one row at a time with your finger or the edge of a card, looking for the first letter of several words at once.
- Do the long words first. They have fewer places to hide.
- Use Hint without guilt. It shows only where a word starts. You still get to find the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this word search free?
Yes. You can play as many puzzles as you like for free, with no account, no download and no pop-up ads.
Can every puzzle be finished?
Yes. Every word on the list is placed in the grid before the other letters are filled in, and each word appears exactly once. There is no way to get stuck: a wrong try costs nothing, and the Hint button will show you where any word starts.
How do I mark a word?
There are two ways, and both always work. You can drag your finger or the mouse from one end of the word to the other. Or you can tap the first letter of the word and then tap its last letter. It does not matter which end you start from.
Do I have to drag across the letters?
No. If dragging is awkward, just tap the first letter of the word, then tap the last letter. The first letter stays marked with a dark circle until you tap the second one. On a keyboard, move with the arrow keys and press Enter on the first and last letters.
Which way do the words run?
That depends on the level you pick. On Easy, words read across from left to right or down from top to bottom. Normal adds words on a slant. Hard also spells some words backwards. Words always sit in a straight line and never bend.
Can I make the letters bigger?
Yes. Choose New Puzzle and pick the Small size. It has 8 rows of 8 letters, so each letter is as large as your screen allows. Medium is 10 by 10. Large is 14 by 14 and is offered on tablets and computers, where the letters can stay a comfortable size.
Is there a time limit?
No. There is no clock on the screen and nothing counts down. If you enjoy timing yourself, you can turn on a simple timer in Settings. It only counts up.
Does the game save my progress?
Yes. Your puzzle is saved in your browser every time you find a word, so you can close the page and continue later on the same device.
What is the Daily Puzzle?
The Daily Puzzle button opens one puzzle chosen by today's date. Everyone who plays it on the same day, at the same size and level, gets the same grid and the same words, so you can compare notes with a friend.
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