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Quick answer
Word Search is a free word search puzzle that plays instantly in your browser on phones, tablets and computers, with no download, sign-up or ads. Find all the listed words hidden across, down and diagonally (and backwards on bigger grids).
Word Search at a glance
What it is
Word search puzzle
Goal
Find all the listed words hidden across, down and diagonally (and backwards on bigger grids)
Modes
10×10, 12×12 and 15×15 grids; ten themes such as Animals, Ocean and Space; hint button and timer
Controls
Drag from the first letter to the last; arrow keys and Enter on the first and last letters
Players
1
Price
Free, no ads, no sign-up, no download
Works on
Phones, tablets and computers, in any modern browser
A daily wheel (the same for everyone) and unlimited wheels; ranks from Beginner to Genius
Tap or drag across letters, or type; Enter to submit, Shuffle, Give up
The relaxing word game
A word search hides a list of words in a grid of letters. Find each one and drag across it to mark it. Every puzzle here is built for you on the spot from a theme you pick, so there is always a new grid to solve.
Tips for finding words faster
Hunt for rare letters. Words with Z, Q, X, J or K are easy to spot; look for those letters first.
Scan for the first two letters. Find the first letter, then check the eight squares around it for the second.
Go row by row. Sweep each row, then each column, then the diagonals, instead of jumping around.
Watch for doubles. Double letters such as the “oo” in “moose” stand out in a grid.
Ten themes
Animals, Food, Nature, Ocean, Space, Sports, Music, Weather, Kitchen and Garden. Each grid uses a fresh selection of words from the theme.
How to play Word Search
1
Pick a theme and size
Choose a theme such as Animals, Ocean or Space, and a 10×10, 12×12 or 15×15 grid. Bigger grids hide more words.
2
Look for the words
The list under the grid shows the words to find. They run across, down or diagonally; on 12×12 and 15×15 they can also run backwards.
3
Drag to select
Press on the first letter and drag to the last, then let go. A found word is marked in colour and crossed off the list.
4
Use a hint if stuck
Hint highlights the first letter of a word you have not found yet. Find every word to stop the clock.
Spell as many words as you can from seven letters. Daily wheel, unlimited play and ranks.
Frequently asked questions
Which directions can words go?
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On the 10×10 grid words run left to right, top to bottom, and along the two forward diagonals. On 12×12 and 15×15 they can run in all eight directions, including backwards.
Where do the words come from?
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Each theme has around thirty everyday words, all checked against a large public English word list. A new grid picks a different set of words and places them at random.
How do I play with a keyboard?
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Move around the grid with the arrow keys, press Enter on the first letter of a word and Enter again on its last letter.
Do hints count against me?
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Your time still counts as normal; the finish panel shows how many hints you used.
Is my best time saved?
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Yes. Your best time for each grid size is kept in your browser on this device.
Like logic puzzles?
Sudoku has four levels, each puzzle with exactly one solution and no guessing needed.