How to use it
- Type your words in Words (one per line). Use letters only: no spaces, digits or punctuation.
- Choose the Grid size and tick Diagonal words or Backwards words if you want them.
- Press Make the puzzle. Write the Sheet number down, so that you can make the same puzzle again.
- Press Print puzzle and answer key: the puzzle prints first, and the answer key prints on a page of its own.
How the words are placed
Each word lies in one straight line of the grid, read from its first letter to its last: across from left to right, and down from top to bottom. With the options ticked, a word may also run diagonally, or backwards from right to left and from bottom to top.
A word is placed only where every one of its letters fits the grid. Two words may cross on a letter they share, so the grid is never filled with letters that cut through a word. The empty cells are then filled with random letters of the alphabet.
Directions in a word search
The article on word search describes words placed horizontally, vertically or diagonally, and it also mentions words written backwards in a puzzle. The options here include backwards words as well.
What this page does not cover
- Puzzles in shapes, hidden messages, or words in a curved or spiral path.
- Word lists with clues or a picture for each word.
- Saved puzzles: the puzzle is made in your browser and printed or downloaded, and nothing is stored.
Worked example: a 6 by 6 grid
A 6 by 6 grid has 36 cells. Each word takes one cell for each of its letters. APPLE has 5 letters and TEA has 3, so when the two words do not cross they cover 8 cells, and the other 28 cells are filled with random letters.
| Item | Count |
|---|---|
| Cells in the grid | 36 |
| APPLE | 5 letters |
| TEA | 3 letters |
| Cells with filler letters | 28 |
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my own words in the puzzle?
Yes. Type one word per line, using letters only. Each word must fit inside the grid you choose, and a line with a space or a digit is reported with its line number.
How do I make the same puzzle again?
Write down the sheet number. Enter the same number with the same words, grid size and directions, and the page makes the same puzzle, with the same placements and filler letters.
Why does the page say that a word does not fit?
A word is placed only where its letters fit the grid and the words already placed. If the grid is too small or too crowded, make it larger or use fewer words. The message names the word.
Does the answer key print on a separate page?
Yes. The print button prints the puzzle first, then the answer key on its own page, with every word shaded in the grid and listed by its row, column and direction.
Are the words stored or sent to a server?
No. The puzzle is made in your browser. Nothing you type is stored or sent to us, and each new page starts with a new sheet number.
Which letters fill the empty cells?
The English page fills the empty cells with the 26 letters A to Z. The Turkish page uses the 29 letters of the Turkish alphabet, including Ç, Ğ, İ, Ö, Ş and Ü.
Sources
Figures and text last checked on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.