Word Search

Every puzzle follows a theme, such as the garden, the kitchen, travel, the weather, music, the ocean, birds or sport. You will find around 8 to 14 words in each one, and you can choose how tricky the grid should be.

How to play word search

1. Look at the word list beside the grid. Every word on it is hidden somewhere among the letters.
2. Words run in straight lines. Depending on the level, they may go across, down, diagonally or even backwards.
3. When you spot a word, select it in the grid.
4. A found word is highlighted in the grid and crossed off the list.
5. The puzzle is complete when every word on the list has been found.

Choosing a level

Easy

A 10 by 10 grid with words running across and down only. This is the best place to start, and a pleasant choice when you simply want to relax.

Medium

A 12 by 12 grid that adds diagonal words to the mix. You will need to scan in more directions, but every word still reads forwards.

Hard

A 14 by 14 grid with words hidden in all eight directions, including backwards. Expect words that run upwards, right to left and diagonally in reverse.

Controls

• Tap or click the first letter of a word, then tap or click its last letter.
• Or drag your finger or mouse across the word from one end to the other.
• With a keyboard, use the arrow keys to move around the grid and press Enter to mark the start of a word, then move to the last letter and press Enter again.
• Hint highlights the first letter of a word you have not found yet. It costs points, so use it when you are truly stuck.
• Undo is not used in word search, because a found word simply stays found.
• Restart clears your progress on the current puzzle, and New game brings a fresh grid.
• Pause hides the grid and stops the timer. Large makes the letters bigger for easier reading.

Scoring and personal bests

Each word you find is worth 100 points. Hints take points away, and a quicker finish earns a time bonus. The clock starts when you first select a letter and stops while the game is paused or the tab is hidden. The Moves box counts the words you have found, your best score for each level is kept in this browser, and found words are saved as you play, so a refresh picks up where you left off.

Tips for finding words faster

• Look for unusual letters first. The background letters never include Q, V, X or Z, so if you spot one of those, it is part of a hidden word.
• Search for the first two letters of a word together rather than the first letter alone.
• Look for double letters, such as the two Ls in shell or the two Os in moon. They catch the eye quickly.
• Work through the grid one row at a time, then one column at a time.
• On the hard level, remember to read backwards. A word might run from right to left or from bottom to top.
• Start with the longest words. They cover more of the grid and are often easier to spot.
• If a word seems missing, try the diagonals. They are the easiest lines to overlook.
• Think about the theme. Knowing the puzzle is about birds or the kitchen helps you guess what the remaining words might be.

A gentle routine

Many people enjoy a word search with a morning coffee or as a quiet break in the afternoon. Begin on Easy until you can finish comfortably, then try Medium. When diagonals feel natural, move to Hard and enjoy the extra challenge of backwards words.

Variations to try

You can make any puzzle feel new by setting yourself a small goal. Try to find all the words in a single theme without a hint, or aim to beat your best time on the same level. If you enjoy searching for patterns, a memory game or a jigsaw puzzle offers a different kind of calm focus.

A short history of word search

Word search puzzles are thought to have become widely popular in newspapers and puzzle books during the second half of the twentieth century. They are known by several names, including word find and word seek. Their appeal has always been their simplicity: no special knowledge is needed, just a sharp eye and a little patience. Today they are as popular on screens as they are on paper.

Common questions