---
title: "Word Search Maker – Free Printable Puzzles | PuzzleBirch"
description: "Make a printable word search from your own words. Pick the size and directions, then print the puzzle and its answer key. Free, no sign-up."
url: https://puzzlebirch.me/
---

Free printable puzzle maker

# Word search maker

Type your own words, choose a size and the directions, and print a word search with its answer key on a page of its own.

## How to make a word search

1. **Add your words**, one per line or separated by commas. Spelling lists, topic vocabulary, names of the family pets: anything with two or more letters. Spaces, hyphens and accents are left out of the grid, so “ice cream” is hidden as ICECREAM.
2. **Pick a grid size.** Longer words and longer lists need bigger grids. Every word that could not be placed is listed above the preview with the reason, so nothing goes missing quietly.
3. **Choose the directions.** Across and down suit early readers; add diagonal for a little more challenge, and backwards for confident puzzlers.
4. **Print.** The puzzle comes out on one page and the answer key, with every word circled, on the next. To make a PDF instead, choose “Save as PDF” in the print window. Pages fit both A4 and US Letter.

The filler letters around your words can be any letter, mostly common letters (which look more like real words), or only letters that appear in your list, which makes the words much harder to spot. PuzzleBirch also checks that the filler never spells one of your words a second time, or a rude word by accident.

## More puzzles from the shelf

Makers for printing, and solvers for when you are stuck.

- [Crossword maker](https://puzzlebirch.me/crossword-maker/): Your words and clues, laid out to cross as often as possible.
- [Sudoku generator](https://puzzlebirch.me/sudoku-generator/): Printable sudoku from easy to expert, one to six to a page.
- [Sudoku solver](https://puzzlebirch.me/sudoku-solver/): Solves any puzzle, or gives one hint at a time and names the technique.
- [Maze generator](https://puzzlebirch.me/maze-generator/): Rectangular mazes in any size, with the solution and PNG or SVG download.
- [Cryptogram maker](https://puzzlebirch.me/cryptogram-maker/): Turn a saying into a code where every letter stands for another.
- [Word unscrambler](https://puzzlebirch.me/word-unscrambler/): Every word your letters make, with ? for a blank tile.
- [Five-letter word finder](https://puzzlebirch.me/five-letter-word-finder/): Green, yellow and grey letters in, possible answers out.

## Recommended

Two free tools that come in handy around puzzle time.

### CleanTempMail

Puzzle apps, game sites and worksheet libraries often want an email address before you can play or download. A temporary inbox from CleanTempMail catches the sign-up mail without an account, and the messages are deleted automatically after three days, so your real inbox (or your class's) stays clear.

[Get a temporary inbox](https://cleantempmail.com/)

### WebTraceCheck

Free printable sites can be thick with pop-ups and redirects. WebTraceCheck opens them in a disposable cloud browser: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave or Chromium on an isolated Linux desktop that is deleted after each session. Nothing to install, with free time every day.

[Try the disposable browser](https://webtracecheck.com/)

## Questions

**How do I make the same puzzle again?**

Keep the puzzle number. The same words, settings and puzzle number always make exactly the same grid. Copy link saves all of them in one address you can bookmark or share; New puzzle picks a fresh number.

**Why was one of my words left out?**

Either it is longer than the grid allows in the chosen directions, it is a repeat, or it would not fit around the other words. The status line names every word left out and why. A bigger grid or more directions usually fixes it.

**Can I save the puzzle as a PDF?**

Yes. Press Print and choose “Save as PDF” (or “Microsoft Print to PDF”) as the printer. The puzzle and the answer key come out as separate pages, black on white, sized for A4 or US Letter.

**Which settings suit younger children?**

A 10 × 10 or 12 × 12 grid, across and down only, capital letters and about eight short words. Older children enjoy diagonal and backwards words, and filler made from the words' own letters.

**Does PuzzleBirch keep my word lists?**

No. The puzzle is made in your browser and your words are never uploaded. A copied link holds them after the # sign, a part of the address that browsers do not send to any server.