Word Search
Find the hidden words in the grid of letters.
How to play Word Search
Word Search is a relaxing puzzle where words hide in a square of letters. The list of words to find is shown next to the grid (below it on a phone). Every game builds a brand-new grid, so you never play the same puzzle twice.
Goal
Find every word in the list. The timer shows how long you take.
Turn by turn
- Look for the first letter of a word in the grid.
- Press on that letter and drag in a straight line to the last letter, then let go. You can also tap the first letter and then tap the last one.
- If the letters spell a word from the list, the word gets a colored band in the grid and is crossed off the list.
- If not, the letters shake and you can try again. There is no penalty for a wrong try.
Where words can hide
Words always run in a straight line. They can go across, down or on a slant. On Easy (8 × 8) words only go left to right, top to bottom or down a slant. On Medium (10 × 10) and Hard (13 × 13) words go in all 8 directions, even backwards and upwards. Words may cross and share a letter.
Themes and hints
Pick a theme such as Animals, Colors, Food, Jobs or Nature, or play with all of them mixed. Stuck? Press Hint to light up the first letter of a word you have not found yet. Each hint adds 10 seconds to your time.
Keyboard
Move around the grid with the arrow keys. Press Enter or Space on the first letter, move to the last letter and press Enter again. Escape cancels.
End of the game
The puzzle is solved when the last word is found. Your best time for each grid size is saved in your browser. Want a number puzzle next? Try Sudoku.
Strategy tips
- Hunt for rare letters. Letters like Z, Q, X, J or K stand out. If a word has one, look for that letter first.
- Look for double letters. Words such as RABBIT or GREEN have two same letters side by side, which are easy to spot.
- Scan one row at a time. Sweep your eyes along each row, then each column, looking only for the first letter of a word.
- Check every direction. When you find a first letter, look at all eight neighbours for the second letter before you move on.
- Start with long words. Long words are harder to hide and fill more of the grid, so they are often quicker to find.
Word Search FAQ
Can words go backwards?
On Medium and Hard, yes. Words can run in all eight directions, including right to left and bottom to top. On Easy they only go forwards or down.
Can two words share a letter?
Yes. Words often cross each other and use the same letter. A letter that is already part of a found word can still be part of another one.
Is Word Search good for kids?
Yes. All words come from simple, friendly themes like animals, colors and food. The Easy grid is small and words only go forwards, which is a great start for young readers.
Do I get the same puzzle again?
No. Each new game picks new words and builds a new grid, so every puzzle is different.
