Word search
Find every hidden word in the grid. Drag across the letters with your finger or mouse (or tap the first and last letter). Choose a topic and a size; each pair has a daily puzzle with its own leaderboard, and New puzzle deals unlimited practice grids.
Loading today's leaderboard…
Today's puzzle
0 of 8 found
How to play word search
- Pick a topic (or Random mix) and a grid size. The clock starts when you make your first selection.
- Find a word from the list in the grid. Words run in straight lines: across and down on Easy, plus diagonals on Medium, and in all eight directions, backwards too, on Hard.
- Press on the first letter and drag to the last one. You can also tap the first letter and then the last. On a keyboard, move with the arrow keys and press Enter on both ends.
- Found words are circled and crossed off. Find them all to stop the clock and post a daily time.
Grid sizes
| Level | Grid | Words | Directions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | 8×8 | 6 | Left to right, top to bottom |
| Medium | 10×10 | 8 | Plus both forward diagonals |
| Hard | 12×12 | 10 | All 8 directions, including backwards |
The words come from our topic lists, built from Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0) and our ENABLE dictionary, with offensive words removed. Empty squares are filled with letters drawn in proportion to how often they occur in English, so the grid doesn't give words away.
Tips
- Look for rare letters first: a J, Q, X or Z in the grid narrows the search fast.
- Scan for a word's first two letters together rather than its first letter alone.
- On Hard, read each row backwards too. Words can end where you expect them to start.
Frequently asked questions
Is this word search free to play online?
Yes. There is a daily puzzle for every topic and size, and unlimited practice puzzles. No sign-up or download.
Does it work on phones and tablets?
Yes. Drag your finger across a word; the grid locks scrolling while you drag. If dragging is fiddly, tap the first letter and then the last.
Can I print a word search?
Not yet. The grid is made for playing on screen.
Where can I find words with given letters instead?
Try the word unscrambler or the word lists by length and letter.
More games to play
- SudokuEasy to Expert, daily and unlimitedNew daily puzzle every day
- Word ScrambleUnscramble words by topic11 topics + random
- Word GuessCrack the hidden word in 6 tries4 to 7 letters, unlimited