How to Play
Learn the basics, then master word search puzzles with our tips and strategies. It's easy—and fun!
Look at the Grid
You'll see a grid filled with letters. A list of words is shown beside it. Your job is to find each word hidden in the grid!
Select the Word
Click on the first letter of the word, then drag to the last letter. Words can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal - in any direction!
Word Found!
When you select a correct word, it will highlight in green and get crossed off the list. Keep going until you find them all!
Complete the Puzzle
Find all the words to win! Try to beat your best time. You can create new puzzles with different themes and sizes.
Choosing the Right Difficulty
Our puzzles come in four grid sizes. Pick one that matches your experience:
- 8×8 (Easy): Best for young kids or beginners. Fewer words, smaller grid. Great for building confidence.
- 10×10 (Medium): A good balance for most players. Not too easy, not too hard. Recommended for first-time players.
- 12×12 (Hard): More words, bigger grid. For those who've solved a few puzzles and want a challenge.
- 15×15 (Expert): The toughest option. Many words in a large grid. Perfect for word search fans who want to test their skills.
Tip: Start with Easy or Medium, then move up as you get faster. You can always create a new puzzle if one feels too hard!
Tips & Strategies
- Scan the word list first. Glance at all the words before you start. Knowing what you're looking for helps you spot them faster.
- Look for the first letter. Pick a word from the list, find its first letter in the grid, then trace the word in all directions until you find the full word.
- Check all 8 directions. Words can go left, right, up, down, and diagonally—forward or backward. Don't assume a word only goes one way.
- Work in sections. Divide the grid into quarters and search section by section. It's easier than scanning randomly.
- Use the hint button. Stuck? Our hint will highlight one letter of a word you haven't found yet. It's there to help!
- Cross off as you go. Found words turn green and get crossed off the list. That visual progress keeps you motivated.
Example Walkthrough
Imagine the word list says "CAT" and "DOG." You look at the grid and see letters everywhere. First, find "C" somewhere. From that C, look right, left, up, down, and diagonally. If you see C-A-T in a row, click the C, drag to the T, and you've found it! The word turns green. Now do the same for "DOG"—find D, then trace until you see D-O-G. Done! Repeat for every word on the list. When they're all green, you've completed the puzzle. Congratulations!