Word Search Maker
Type a topic and AI picks the words, or use your own list. Play it online or print the puzzle and answer key. Free to use.
Across, down and diagonal.
How to make a word search
- 1
Pick a topic or type your words
Type any topic, such as "Animals" or "Kitchen tools", and choose how many words. Or switch to "Type my own words" and paste a spelling or vocabulary list.
- 2
Choose size and difficulty
Kids puzzles hide words only across and down. Easy and Medium add diagonals, and Hard also hides words backwards. Pick a grid size or leave it on Auto.
- 3
Play or print
Drag across a word (or tap its first and last letter) to circle it on screen, or print the puzzle with its word bank and a separate answer key.
Who uses a word search generator
Teachers
Turn this week's spelling or vocabulary list into a printable word search for early finishers, centers or homework, with an answer key for quick checking.
Parents and kids
The Kids level keeps words left to right and top to bottom, so young readers can practice spotting and spelling words on their own.
Parties and activity sheets
Make a themed word search for a birthday, baby shower, holiday or church group, with names and words that only your guests know.
Puzzle fans
Choose Hard and a big grid for diagonal and backwards words on any subject you like, then solve it right in your browser.
Frequently asked questions
Is this word search maker free?
Yes. It is free to use: make, play and print as many word searches as you like. AI topic puzzles are paced on very heavy use, like every tool on AllAILab; typing your own words never waits.
How does the AI word search generator work?
When you enter a topic, our AI picks words about it at the level you chose. Then your browser hides the words in a letter grid, fills the gaps with random letters and checks that each word appears only once.
Can I use my own word list?
Yes. Choose "Type my own words" and enter one word per line, or separate them with commas. You can also press Edit words on an AI puzzle to add, remove or change words.
How do I print the word search and the answer key?
Press Print puzzle for the grid with a word bank underneath, and Print answer key for a copy with every hidden word shaded. In the print window you can also choose Save as PDF.
What do the difficulty levels change?
Kids hides words only across and down. Easy adds diagonals going down, Medium adds diagonals going up, and Hard adds backwards words in every direction.
How many words can a puzzle have?
AI puzzles have 10 to 25 words. Your own list can have up to 30 words, each 2 to 20 letters long. Grids go from 10 x 10 to 20 x 20, or Auto picks a size that fits your words.
Why did a word not fit?
A word longer than the grid, or a very full grid, can leave a word out. The page names any word that did not fit; choose a bigger grid size or press New puzzle.