What is a Word Search Puzzle?
A word search puzzle is basically find a combination of words placed in a grid. Those set of words can be placed horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Purpose of this puzzle is to find words that are hidden in the jargon of other words.
Most of the times the words that need to be searched are written at the bottom of the puzzle.
Benefits of playing Word Search Puzzles
Hard to believe but games and puzzles play an important part in keeping up our mental health. Such puzzles stimulate the brain activities, this helping us stay focused and increased concentration.
They are helpful for kids and adults to learn and memorize new vocabulary words, historical events, popular destinations, interesting characters and so much more.
Word Search Generator Tool
You can create your own custom word search puzzles with this Word Search Puzzle Generator. You can use variety of options to create such puzzles. Follow these steps to create your custom words search puzzles:
- Input the Title of the puzzle
- Create and input your Words List
- Select the Grid Size, like 10×10, 15×15, 20×20 etc
- Select the Font Style.
- Select the Difficulty Level of Easy or Normal
- Select the theme of your choice, if you wish.
- If you wish, you select to show cell borders or not.
- Lastly, select the color of Title, Grid and Words.
- Once all the options are set, click on “Generate New”.
- Select “Show Answers” button to see the answers.
- Once generated, download the puzzles as PDF or JPG formats.
- You can also Download Preview before actually downloading the puzzles.
- To see the existing word search puzzles, click on the “Brose Gallery” button.
- Print the puzzles and start playing.
What Kind of Word Search Puzzles Should I Make?
When you are customizing a word search puzzle, it is entirely up to you to include the type of words you want to use in your word search puzzle.
To keep the players interested, make sure to use the words that are not too long in length. Try to avoid phrases that can get mixed up easily with other words.
Avoid words that require special characters, punctuation marks or numbers.
PLEASE NOTE: After you create your puzzle, proofread carefully to make sure that offensive or unintended words are not used. If you happen to come across any, you can generate another puzzle by following the steps above.
Make your own word search puzzles with the Word Search Maker! This easy-to-use tool allows you to provide your own word list and create custom word searches in minutes. You can then download and print them instantly, or play online the pre-made puzzles right away. So get creative and have some fun!
How do you create custom Word Search Puzzles?
It’s easy! Just provide your word list and the Word Search Maker will create a puzzle for you.
- Enter your words into the text box provided. Make sure to add no more than 30 words.
- Select the theme or topics of your word search.
- Words should only include letters from a-z – uppercase or lowercase. You can use space and dash but these will be omitted while searching for your word search.
- Make sure not to use any personal information if you want your puzzles added to our database.
- When you are ready, click on “Regenerate” and the word search will be generated for you.
- If you want to download and print your word search puzzle, just click on “Download PDF.” The word search will be downloaded as a PDF file which you can then print.
NOTE: These are randomly generated words so be sure to proofread carefully before using. You can also regenerate the puzzle with new array of words.
Puzzlemaker is a puzzle generation tool for teachers, students and parents. Create and print customized word search, criss-cross, math puzzles, and more-using your own word lists.
To create your word search puzzle, follow the steps below and click the “Create My Puzzle” button when you are done.
Enter a title for your puzzle
The title will appear at the top of your page. (49 characters or fewer.)
Enter the size of your word search puzzle
Your puzzle can be up to 40 letters by 40 letters and still fit on one page. The optimum puzzle size is 15 letters by 15 letters.
Number of Letters Across
Number of Letters Down
Word search puzzle options
Puzzles where the words do not share any letters are faster to generate and easier to solve. If you choose to share letters as much as possible, the computer will take a little longer to generate the puzzle.
Use each letter only once.
Share letters occasionally.
Share letters as much as possible.
Word search puzzle output type
Choose puzzle output as either and image or HTML.
Image
HTML
Case Options
Choose if you would like your puzzle to be built using all uppercase, all lowercase or mixed case letters.
All Uppercase Letters
Mixed Uppercase and Lowercase Letters
All Lowercase Letters
Enter your words
Separate your words with commas, spaces or type each word on a new line. Any character that is not a letter will be considered a space.
Fill with Sample Data
2000 of 2000 words remaining
Show instructions
Check this box if you want instructions to appear below the puzzle.
Check your puzzles
Puzzlemaker uses a word filter to prevent the random creation of offensive words. After you create your puzzle, proofread it carefully to check for the placement of unintended words created by random letter combinations. You can regenerate your puzzle by selecting the «Back» button in your browser and pressing the «Create My Puzzle» button again.
The Spruce / Hilary Allison
These printable word searches will be sure to challenge even the most advanced puzzler. You’ll find three different levels of hard word searches below, each growing in difficulty based on the number of words you need to find.
There are the hard word searches with 30-39 hidden words, the very hard word searches with 40-49 words you’ll need to find, and the extremely hard word searches with 50 or more hidden words. I suggest starting with the first section and then moving on to the other puzzles after you feel confident that you can tackle them.
If these puzzles aren’t challenging enough for you, you can also consider making your own hard word search. Trade with a friend and see who can complete theirs the quickest.
Many other free word searches are available for just about every holiday and season as well as daily word searches, online puzzles, and word searches just for kids. Both adults and kids will love the challenge and fun these puzzles bring.
-
Printable Hard Word Searches
Westend61 / Getty Images
These word searches are considered hard because they have 30-39 hidden words to find. Can you find them all?
- Famous Artists: There are 30 names of famous artists hidden in this hard word search puzzle.
- Healthy Foods: You’ll need to find 31 hidden healthy food words in this word search puzzle.
- Famous Cars: This hard word search has 32 famous cars that need to be found.
- Arguments: A tough word search puzzle with 33 hidden words.
- Here Comes the Bride: A 33-word puzzle all about weddings.
- The Beach: There are 34 beach words in this word search puzzle.
- Music Artists: Find the names of 34 music artists.
- Busy Schedule: Can you find all 35 words in this word search printable?
- Movie Night: There are 36 movie titles hidden in this word search.
- Lots of Words: A generally hard word search with 38 non-related words.
- Famous American Football Players: Find 38 famous American football players in this puzzle.
- Dogs: Find 38 breeds of dogs in this hard word puzzle.
- Have Fun: A general word search with 38 words to find.
- Your Body: You’ll need to find 39 words to solve this science word search puzzle all about the body.
- United States of America: There are 39 hidden words in this hard word search over the USA.
-
Printable Very Hard Word Searches
Kohei Hara / Getty Images
40-49 words that you’ll need to find.
- World Capitals: This is a very hard word search puzzle with 40 world capitals to find.
- The Great Lakes Basin: Find 40 things you might discover in the Great Lakes basin.
- Baseball Players: Find 42 names of famous baseball players in this word search.
- Health Issues: Find 42 health issues in this very hard word search puzzle printable.
- Les Miserables: Here’s a 42 word hidden word search puzzle that’s all about everyone’s favorite musical.
- The Great Lakes: There are 45 hidden words in this word search puzzle.
- Horse Breeds: 46 names of horse breeds are hidden in this difficult word search puzzle.
- Pearl Harbor: Print out this very hard word search puzzle and find all 48 words.
- What’s the Point: Here’s a fun word search printable where you’ll need to find 48 words or phrases that all have points associated with them.
- Hilarious Movies: If you like funny movies, you’re going to love this word search! There are 48 titles of some of the best comedies out there all hidden within this tough word search puzzle.
- Relationships: This printable word search puzzle has 49 words hiding in it.
-
Printable Extremely Hard Word Searches
Hero Images / Getty Images
Watch out for these extremely hard word search puzzles with 50 or more hidden words. Pick one with unfamiliar words you to increase the difficulty and make it your own personal hardest word search.
- Strange Words: Can you find all 50 strange words in this word search puzzle?
- European Countries: Find the 50 countries in Europe in this extremely hard word search puzzle.
- Fifty States: You’ll need to find all 50 states to complete this word search puzzle.
- Fifty State Capitals: Another extremely hard word search puzzle where you’ll need to find 50 state capitals.
- Camping: You’ll have to find 50 camping words in this puzzle.
- Popular Girls Names: Find 50 of the most popular names for girls.
- Popular Boys Names: There are 50 names of boys in this word search.
- Harry Potter Word Search: Find 50 Harry Potter-related words to solve this word search.
- Our Family: There are 50 family words to find in this word search printable.
- Self Help: You’ll need to find 50 words to solve this puzzle.
- Gardening: There are 50 hidden words that all have to do with gardening in this hard word search printable. Make it more of a challenge by finding the Lady Bird Johnson quote with the remaining letters.
- Flowers of the 50 States: Can you find the name of each state flower? There are 50 to find!
- Golden Age of Hollywood: Find 50 actors and actresses’ names in this difficult word search puzzle.
- Box Office Hits: Relive your favorite movies with this free hard word search puzzle that asks you to find 50 box office hits.
- Bio-mechanics: There are 50 bio-mechanics words to find in this very difficult word search puzzle.
- ’80’s Cartoons: This is an extra difficult puzzle because the titles of the ’80’s cartoons are so long. Good luck finding all 50 of them!
- Accounting: Find 55 accounting terms in what’s one of the more difficult word search puzzles. If you enjoy this puzzle you may also enjoy free math word puzzles.
- Deserts of the World: There are 60 deserts hidden within this tough word search puzzle. The remaining letters spell out a secret message.
- Around the House: There are an unbelievable 100 words to find in this extra-tough word search puzzle. Can you find all the words that you can find around the house?
- Harry Potter: In this hard word search printable, you’ll need to find a whopping 180 words that all have to do with the Harry Potter universe.
We have a large collection of word search puzzles online, with new ones being added regularly. They are fun to play, but also educational as they help to reinforce spelling.
The Benefits of Word Search Puzzles
- First of all, our word search puzzles are 100% free to play and you can even go old school and print them off to enjoy offline later.
- In addition, these puzzles are great for consolidating spelling, you can use this resource as an opening to other independent writing activities.
- Above all, the more words you encounter and understand, the broader your day-to-day vocabulary will become, so they are a great way to increase your exposure to old and new words.
To get started playing, just select a level from below. Best of luck.
Word Search Puzzles for Basic English Learners
Pre A1 Beginner Level
Here are word search puzzles for students at a beginner level of English or Pre-A1 on the CEFR scale.
A1 Elementary Level
For these puzzles, they are for students at an elementary level of English or A1 on the CEFR scale.
A2 Pre-Intermediate Level
In this section the puzzles are for students at a pre-intermediate level of English or A2 on the CEFR scale.
Word Search Puzzles for Independent English Learners
B1 Intermediate Level
For these puzzles, they are for students at an intermediate level of English or B1 on the CEFR scale.
B2 Upper Intermediate Level
In this section the puzzles are for students at an upper-intermediate level of English or B2 on the CEFR scale.
Word Search Puzzles for Proficient English Learners
C1 Advanced Level
For this last section, these puzzles are for students at an advanced level of English or C1 on the CEFR scale.
More puzzles, activities and games available:
First of all, why not try our match-up games to help you build up your vocabulary to dizzy heights.
In addition, our word puzzles are especially helpful as you try to retain new words in a different language.
Finally, our crossword puzzles help you to spell linked words correctly to be able to complete the task.
More activities available:
In addition, learning English requires not just a good vocabulary, but a strong foundation of English grammar to communicate effectively and our grammar exercises provide the practice for this purpose.
When learning vocabulary, especially helpful are our vocabulary exercises that are focussed on a theme or topic as these provide word retention practice, so you can be confident to read, write, speak and listen successfully.
Most importantly, once you are at a good level of English, you should combine your knowledge of vocabulary and grammar to understand and produce well-written pieces of text. We provide model text types for you to read and practice.