How to play Word Search
A word search is a grid of letters with words hidden in straight lines. The list under the grid tells you which words to look for. Find each one and mark it, and the puzzle is done when the list is empty.
- Words run in straight lines, never around corners. Depending on the level they go across, down, diagonally or backward.
- Mark a word by dragging from its first letter to its last. You can also tap the first letter and then the last.
- Words can cross, sharing a letter where they meet.
- Every word is hidden exactly once, so when you find it, it's the right one.
Playing on Poozee
- Pick a theme: Animals, Ocean, Fruits and Veggies, Space, Weather, Sports, US States, In the Kitchen, Back to School, Music, Fall or Halloween.
- Pick a level. Easy is a 10 by 10 grid with 8 words that only run across or down. Medium is 12 by 12 with 12 words and adds diagonals. Hard is 15 by 15 with 16 words in any of the eight directions, including backward.
- Hint lights up the first letter of a word you haven't found yet.
- Print gives you a clean page with just the grid and the word list, handy for class, a road trip or a rainy afternoon. Every New puzzle is a different grid.
- The clock runs while you play, and your best time is saved for each level.
Tips for finding words faster
- Start from the word's rarest letter, not its first letter. Look for the Z in ZEBRA or the K in SKUNK instead of the first letter. In 600 of our Hard grids, a word's first letter showed up in 10.8 squares on average, while its rarest letter showed up in only 6.3, so there are about 40% fewer places to check. Our word search tips guide has more ways to speed up.
- Look for double letters. Pairs like the LL in GORILLA or the OO in RACCOON stand out when you scan a row.
- Scan one direction at a time. Sweep every row, then every column, then the diagonals. On Hard, also read backward.
- Try the long words first. They stretch across more of the grid, which makes them harder to miss.
- Check off as you go. Found words are crossed off the list, so you only ever look for what's left.
Pro tip: When you find the rare letter, look at the eight squares around it for the letter that comes next in the word. That's the only way the word can run.
Why word searches are popular
Word searches are a classic of puzzle books and classrooms. They're quick to learn, work for any age, and can be built around any topic, from spelling lists to the planets. On Poozee you can play them in the browser or print a fresh one whenever you need it.
Word Search FAQ
Can I print these word searches?
Yes. Press Print and you get a page with just the grid and the word list, sized for letter or A4 paper. Each press of New puzzle makes a different grid, so you can print as many as you like.
What's the difference between Easy, Medium and Hard?
Easy is a 10 by 10 grid with 8 words that only run across or down. Medium is 12 by 12 with 12 words and adds diagonals. Hard is 15 by 15 with 16 words that can run in any of the eight directions, including backward.
Is every word in the list hidden exactly once?
Yes. Every grid is checked before you see it: each word in the list appears exactly once, and no word is hidden inside another word from the same list.