Word clouds with shapes

Word clouds are known by a variety of names including wordles, text clouds, and tag clouds. These fantastic graphics can reveal trends and allow you to present ideas, text, and concepts in a way that is eye-catching and compelling for students. Trying to find the right tool? You’ve come to the right place! We’ve put together a list of the best free word cloud generators for teachers.

Why Use Word Clouds in the Classroom?

Word clouds are fun to look at and will get students’ attention. You can take words and turn them into cool images using different shapes, fonts, and color schemes. While you can use a tool to create them for your classroom, students may enjoy making their own with just a piece of paper and some markers. 

Here are some suggestions for using word clouds with students:

• Use word clouds as an icebreaker activity (What is was the most fun thing you did over summer break?).
• Activate prior knowledge of a topic.
• Describe book characters, historical figures, famous scientists, etc.
• Brainstorm writing topic ideas.
• Summarize topics to develop an understanding.
• Find the theme for a class discussion.
• Explore the meanings of challenging vocabulary words.
• Use word clouds as an exit ticket to assess understanding and identify gaps in learning.

Depending on which tool you choose, there may be a bit of a learning curve when you start using word clouds in your classroom. But the effort will be worth it in the end!

1. WordArt.com

If you’ve been using word clouds for a while, you may remember that this tool was known as Tagul up until 2017. Rebranded as WordArt.com, this popular and highly customizable free word cloud generator for teachers is widely used in the classroom and even among professional designers. 

Try it: WordArt.com

2. WordClouds.com

This user-friendly free online wordle creator can be used on computers, tablets, and smartphones. There are many options for generating and tailoring your word cloud. Need inspiration? Check out their gallery of wordle examples! 

Try it: WordClouds.com

3. Word Cloud Maker

You may not have as many settings with Word Cloud Maker as you do with other generators, but the features it does offer are powerful. They have great layouts and shapes you can use to create something that’s truly engaging and unique.

Try it: Word Cloud Maker

4. WordItOut

As with other word cloud generators on this list, WordItOut allows you to create wordles from words, phrases, spreadsheets, and even whole documents. This tool also gives you the ability to embed your creations in your non-commercial blog or website. 

Try it: WordItOut

5. WordSift

You’ll have limited options for layouts with WordSift, which only offers five templates, but this is still a great free word cloud generator for teachers. The data visualization is fantastic and you can adjust the colors, font, orientations, and even the scale of words.  

Try it: WordSift

6. ABCya

The interface for this word cloud generator is so simple and fun! Once your text has been input, you can easily add effects to your wordle. Want to shake things up? Hit the “randomize” button to instantly change shapes, fonts, and font colors. 

Try it: ABCya

7. MonkeyLearn Word Cloud Generator

This AI-powered tool is ideal for the classroom. Using advanced relevance algorithms, it will automatically recognize compound words and collations while removing stop words. The interface is modern, free of ads, and easy to navigate.

Try it: MonkeyLearn

8. TagCrowd

If you’re looking for minimalist word maps, TagCrowd is a great word cloud generator. The tool is very basic, but you still have the ability to adjust settings for languages, word limits, and upper/lower-case letters. 

Try it: TagCrowd

9. Jason Davies Word Cloud

This free word cloud generator for teachers allows you to create symmetrical wordles. The interface is incredibly easy to use and generates powerful algorithms so you can make the cool, customized word cloud in seconds. 

Try it: Jason Davies Word Cloud

10. EdWordle

It’s easy to create word clouds with EdWordle. Simply add text to create your own or edit existing wordles. You can customize your creations by randomly scrambling words, changing the color and font of individual words, and building “neighborhoods” by having related words appear close to one another. 

Try it: EdWordle

What are your favorite free word cloud generators for teachers? Share in the comments below.

Plus, check out this list of 350+ Amazing Online Learning Resources. 

Want more articles like this? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletters!

Word cloud generators serve a great purpose for presenters, illustrators, and analysts. These tools are used for presentation, explanation or illustration purposes, through a combination of words and images which pass a great and very powerful message to the audience. This is exactly what word cloud generator shapes are used for, they help combine the power of words and images together. Nowadays, many people including teachers are known to use word cloud generator shapes to make presentations for their students and many others. It adds a bolder collection of words in a visual manner. It has become an important e-learning tool for clarity and a better understanding of many. Best word cloud generators add excitement to graphical illustrations making sure your audience never get bored by keeping them focused on the right information. Some of this word cloud generators assist students with group text analysis, others let users show their creativity with custom cloud shapes and more!

Word Cloud Generator Shapes

There are so many of these online word cloud generators for web users out there, the problem usually comes down to getting the really good ones for free online. This is the main reason we have come up with 12+ Online Word Cloud Generators for you to use in your own unique way to improve your presentations, illustrations and wallpaper designing.

You Might Like this:

• 55+ Free Medical Fonts For Designing

WordArt(Tagul) Word Cloud Generator

WordArt(Tagul) Word Cloud Generator has one of the most amazing features which makes it an option for more experienced users. You can incorporate different shapes into your word cloud designs. This is a feature Wordle and some others don’t have. WordArt(Tagul) word cloud generator has custom shapes, colors, cloud fonts, and more. It has a much fancier look than most of the other tools, the downside is you have to register before you can use this tool and it is free.

Check Site

ABCya! – Word Cloud With Phrases

This is another word cloud generator website dedicated to learning. Teachers the special ABCya word cloud generator provided for them on this website, to teach their students with ease. It is easy to use and similar to Wordle. It can be used as a substitute for Wordle as it also does not require any registration to use this tool.

Check Site

Wordle – Word Cloud Generator Powerpoint

First on our list is Wordle. It is one of the most amazing and populous word cloud generators out there. This creates word cloud generator shapes with awesome graphical presentations. This wonderful online word cloud generator is free but requires JavaScript plugin to work. You do not have to sign up to use it. Check it out below.

Check Site

Tagxedo -Word Cloud Generator That Keeps Phrases Together

This is by far one of the best and most incredible tools for creating word cloud generator shapes on the internet. Tagxedo allows users to customize words such as speeches, themes, love letters, slogans and much more into their desired shapes. With this tool, you can create any shape you want and also customize it how you like it even the fonts. This Word Cloud Generator That Keeps Phrases Together, and shape comes in stunning graphical illustrations, which can be saved as JPG and PNG image files.

CHECK SITE

Daniel Soper’s Wordcloud Generator

Daniel Soper’s Word cloud generator is a free tool which allows for the amazing creativity of words into beautiful graphical text designs. Its simple interface makes this tool very easy to use. All you have to do is paste or type text into the box on the website and click “Draw Cloud” button to see the effects. By using the Word Cloud Options panel, you can customize how you want your image to look.

Check Site

Image Chef’s Word Mosaic Word Cloud Creator

This online word cloud generator shapes tool is not the best in terms of website appearance but it is a powerful word cloud generator. Word Mosaic Creator will give you that impressive result you are looking for. It is especially good social media graphics for Facebook, Instagram effortlessly without stress. The downside of this tool is the fact that the word cloud images are generated with watermarks. If that won’t be a problem for you then it is also a good option.

CHECK SITE

Jason Davies Word Cloud With Phrases

If you are looking for something fun and exciting, this online word cloud generator shapes tool is definitely your best bet. Its simple layout design makes it easy to use. The results from Jason Davies Word Cloud Generator are magnificent.

Check Site

TagCrowd Word Art Creator

Visualizing words is the sole reason TagCrowd was developed. It is a web-based application used for word cloud image, a tag cloud or text cloud. It is easy and makes word clouds easy and readable for different purposes.

Check Site

ToCloud – Word Cloud Generator

This word cloud generator tool uses word frequencies to generate word clouds that are optimized and easy to understand. ToCloud is a smart tool that works by removing phrases and gives out great results even more than most word cloud generators out there.

Check Site

Tricklar – Google Word Cloud Generator

This is one simple but awesome word cloud generator is owned by the news website Tricklar. It can create word clouds from words in articles, websites and more. Tricklar is a tool in its own lane because it is unique and different from other word cloud generator shape tools. You don’t need to type or paste words in a box to generate word clouds, all you have to do instead is type the category, time and location of the articles you wish to use and see amazing results. You can create word clouds in triangular, circular, rectangular shapes or use the default ones. Fonts, word cloud background, font colour and more can be changed.

Check Site

Vocab Grabber – Word Cloud With Phrases

Vocab Grabber is a professional tool for people who aim to become grammarians and wordsmiths. It is not precisely a word cloud generator, it is more like a thesaurus which creates a word map of words and their synonyms. It creates the same effects as other word cloud generators. You can use this tool for free but you still have to pay a small fee after the free trial expires, this is because it is a professional tool, unlike other word cloud generators.

Check Site

Word-It-Out Google Word Cloud Generator

This tool lets users create amazing text transformations into word cloud generator shapes. These transformations can be shared on social media and other platforms. Word-It-Out does not require any sign-up, login or JavaScript plugin to use this online word cloud generator. This tool has random setting options to create your desired word clouds, it is equally very easy and powerful to use.

Check Site

Wordclouds

Last on our list is Wordclouds, it is also a simple tool to use. They are using a syntax for achieving this shape. So we need to follow their instructions to achieve this Cloud shapes. Though it looks a bit unusual, it is very useful. Teachers will most likely opt for this tool more than any other as it will help them illustrate and present better to their students.

CHECK SITE

Shapecloud- Wordcloud generator from Creative Fabrica

Shapecloud is a word cloud generator that is simple, creative, and fun. It is a great tool for visualizing data and ideas. First, you’ll need to create a account and login. Next, you’ll need to choose a shape. You can either select a pre-made shape or create your own.  You can then customize the word cloud by changing the font, color, and shape of the words. Shapecloud is a great way to add a personal touch to your words. Whether you’re creating a word cloud for a presentation, a resume, a blog post, a social media post, or just for fun, Shapecloud is the perfect tool for you.

CHECK SITE

Conclusion

If you are looking for some of the best online word generator shape tools, then you most certainly have it. These tools help make presenters, illustrators and analysts do their jobs effectively by getting the attention of their audience. These 12+ online word cloud generator shapes will add flair to your presentations either as a teacher, analyst and so on. The combination of words and images create a better explanation which passes strong messages to the audience. So these tools are most likely to give you the best of results, some of which can be customized to any desired outcome of your choice in PNG or JPG images.

Need a nice cover for a student anthology of writing? Why not drop a custom shape word cloud on the cover? When I graduated from Abydos writing program one summer, the cover of the anthology was a word cloud. Making word clouds has gotten so easy since then, many forget how much fun they are. While word clouds, like the one below, are entertaining, shape word clouds provide even more fun. What’s more, you can also use word clouds tools to enhance Bitmoji. So much fun! Come along as we explore these.

Created with MonkeyLearn’s WordCloud Generator (requires free account)

Word clouds suffered a bit of a hit when Adobe Flash expired. Some even looked a bit boring, as mentioned in this blog entry. But many have bounced back, and others have emerged. Allow me to share a few with you in this blog entry.

Image Credit: WordArt

Shape Clouds

Word clouds constrained to a shape engage the eye in a way words never can. You learn to see the expression of words in the shape, similar to a haiku or acrostic poem. For fun, I created this in anticipation of the holiday season:

As you can see below, the interface is straightforward. You need not create an account unless you want to do something more. such as saving your creation or ordering a poster, mug, t-shirt, or other product. That creation will feature your shape word cloud on it.

The interface allows you to modify shapes from a variety of clip art images.

Lots of fonts are available, too:

Cloud Maker #1: WordClouds.com

This impressive word cloud generator works on a variety of devices such as your computer, tablet, and/or smartphone. You have the option of typing in words, uploading a document, or providing a web address. You can pick a shape, select colors and fonts, and control how WordClouds generates the cloud.

Artists will especially appreciate this feature. You can draw your own image with a transparent background, then upload it to WordClouds. One feature I found wonderful includes themes so you can change colors for the entire word cloud. You can also use custom shapes, such as for a country or state maps. Give this versatile tool a whirl.

Leo’s Dream via Willow5

Cloud Maker #2: WordArt.com

This may be my favorite on the list. I had lots of fun making shape word clouds. WordArt features a gallery full of great ideas for your shape clouds. For example, this creation from Willow5 takes a pencil shape into wall art:

This word art tool has a simple interface, allowing you to customize each word. You can adjust size, color, angle, and font for every word that appears.

WordArt also offers a wide variety of images and includes the option for you to add some of your own.

Cloud Maker #3: Tagxedo

A go-to word cloud generator for many, Tagxedo has a few features to offer. Unfortunately, it’s starting to show its age. As a result, it’s become incompatible or unusable with Chromebooks and smartphones. That aside, Tagxedo offers some great suggestions for creative uses of word clouds.

Be sure to visit the Tagxedo Gallery for more ideas.

One drawback to Tagxedo? You will need to install Silverlight on your Windows or Macintosh computer. You may also need to use Firefox browser.

As a no-frills word cloud generator, you may also want to check out Word Wanderer. In this TCEA blog entry, Word Wanderer offers simple word cloud goodness.

But Wait, There’s More! Wordmoji Magic

Whether you call it “wordmoji,” “shapemoji,” or “shape art,” you can combine two fun tools. The tools are WordArt and Bitmoji. Here are two examples featuring two TCEA staff, Peggy Reimers and Emily Hopkins.

Emily Hopkins at TCEA:

This Bitmoji had a transparent background.

Peggy Reimers at TCEA:

This is an image that has a non-transparent background. This allows you to get MORE words into your creation.

Aren’t those amazing? Let’s see how to make them.

How To Make Shape Art or “Wordmojis”

How do you make these? Oh, it’s so easy. You can right-click and save your Bitmoji to your device, then add it as a shape in WordArt.com. Or, save the Bitmoji on your phone, then add it as a shape in WordArt.com.

Please find a quick step by step below.

Step 1 – Open WordArt and Navigate to Shape bar

If the image has extra content that Bitmoji includes in its creations, remove it. You can use an online tool like Remove.bg to get rid of dark backgrounds and erase extraneous content. Or, use Kleki.com to remove content. Learn more about this.

Step 2 – Bitmoji added as a shape in WordArt.com

Step 3 – Screenshot or Capture Image

One of my favorite screen capture tools, that works in your browser (e.g. add-on) or your device (e.g. Mac, Window)? Lightshot. It’s a great all purpose tool, and you can even use it to annotate images.

Classroom Applications

There are a wide variety of classroom applications. Here are two quick ideas.

Acrostic Shape Art

You can use this “shape art” for kids to make an acrostic poem. You can brainstorm lists of words in class or rely on a Thesaurus. Here’s one I made using the “smile” Bitmoji for my own name, Miguel:. Each first letter links to more words that start with that letter. And, I tried to make my adjectives aspirational, capturing my hope for a better me.

Please note I spent about two minutes on this, but your students will want to spend more time. Each word choice is an opportunity to expand their vocabulary.

Magnanimous

Intense

Gustatory

Upbeat

Effervescent

Lucid

You can also make the background image stand out…use the background image slider to bring the image into focus.

Here’s what that looks like full-size:

Science Connector

Want to make a science connection? Find a concept you would like to explain. Then, combine your Bitmoji with that item. Here’s one that takes the Scientific Method in that direction.

Although I left it blank, you can drop an exhortation to use The Scientific Method in the speech bubble. See original image.

As you can see there are many applications. Have fun!

Menu

Make a word cloud

Regenerate

Word cloud settings

Font

• sans-serif
• serif
• monospace
• Daniel
• Essays1743
• Gentium
• Gruenewald-VA
• Isabella
• Jura
• Sniglet
• Yiggivoo

Colour

Number of colours

5

For an unlimited number, set to 0.

Layout

Place largest word at the centre

Orientation

• Portrait
• Landscape

Aspect ratio

• Square (1:1)
• 4:3
• A4 (1.4142:1)
• 3:2
• 16:10
• 5:3
• 16:9
• 2:1

1.6 : 1

Custom aspect ratio

:

Width cannot be more than 10× height, & vice versa.

Word clouds always scale to fit.

Size

Difference in sizes of words

Words

Create a new Word list

Generating from a new source will not change your current word cloud settings.
However, changes made to individual words will be lost because a new word list will be created.

Total number of words

100

0 were found in the original source.

Minimum frequency

0

Only display words found at least this often.
The highest frequency is 0.

0 match the filtering criteria.

Display

Set by filtering criteria. Set manually by you.

Save