Paper Games
Blank Word Search Maker
An empty letter grid and a checklist of words: hide your own words for a class, a birthday or a language lesson.
What you can customize
- Grid size
- Words
Works well in
- Traveler's Notebook Passport
- A6
- Traveler's Notebook Regular
- B6 (JIS)
- A5
- US Half Letter
- B5 (ISO)
- A4
- US Letter
All page sizes, from Passport to A4
Try it in another style
Start from a preset
- 15×15 word search, US Letter Twelve words to find. Open in the maker →
- 15×15 word search, A4 The same on A4. Open in the maker →
- Easy 10×10 for kids, A4 Larger squares and eight words. Open in the maker →
Make your own puzzle
The page has a square grid of 8 to 20 cells per side, a theme field in the header and a checklist of 6 to 20 words underneath.
Making a good word search
- Choose words on one theme and write them in the list.
- Place the longest words first, in different directions.
- Fill the remaining squares with random letters, using letters from your words so nothing stands out.
- Copy the sheet before you fill it in to keep an answer key.
Free sample PDFs
Print at 100% (actual size). Made with the same engine as the maker, so the spacing is exact.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a word search?
Write your words into the grid across, down or diagonally, forwards or backwards, then fill every empty square with random letters. List the words in the checklist.
Can I use it for language learning?
Yes. Hide vocabulary words in any language; the checklist doubles as a translation list.
Related guides
- How to print a booklet double-sidedPrint your notebook PDF at actual size, choose the right duplex setting, and get pages that come out in the right order after folding.
- Calibrate your printer for exact sizesMeasure your printer once so pages print at exactly the right size, find its unprintable margins, and line up the front and back of each sheet.
- Paper sizes, margins and binding allowanceWhich printer paper fits which notebook size, how to set margins and the binding margin, and when to use bleed and creep.
- Pen and paper games: 25 games to play with a printed sheet25 pen and paper games for two players, groups and solo play, from dots and boxes and battleship to hangman and sudoku, with rules, player counts and free printables.
Related templates
-
Crossword Grid
Numbered crossword grid with across and down clue lines.
-
Hangman
Hangman rounds with letter blanks and an alphabet to cross out.
-
Sudoku Puzzles
Freshly generated sudoku with one solution each, answers upside down.
-
Categories Game
Score sheet for city, country, river: one letter, many categories.
