How to Create a Word Search Puzzle Online

Updated 2026-09-23

You can create a custom word search in a few minutes with an online puzzlemaker: open the tool, choose the word search option, enter your word list, set the grid size and difficulty, then generate and print the puzzle along with its answer key. This works well for teachers, parents, and students who want a themed puzzle for a lesson, party, or study session. The steps below follow the general flow of Discovery Education's Puzzlemaker, which offers word search puzzles alongside crosswords, mazes, and other formats.

Step 1: Choose a Puzzlemaker and Find the Word Search Option

Go to the puzzlemaker site and look for the list of puzzle types. Discovery Education's Puzzlemaker lists word search puzzles as one of its available formats, so select that option rather than the crossword or maze builder.

Before you start, decide on two things:

Your word list — the exact words or short phrases you want hidden in the grid.
Your audience — this affects grid size and how much overlap you allow.

Step 2: Enter Your Word List

Type your words into the word list field, usually one word per line. Keep these practical limits in mind:

Short words (3–6 letters) are easier to place and easier for young solvers.
Very long words or phrases may not fit in a small grid.
Avoid duplicates, since repeated entries can confuse the answer key.

If your puzzle has a theme — animals, vocabulary, holidays — group related words so the finished puzzle feels intentional.

Step 3: Set Grid Size, Difficulty, and Output Options

Most puzzlemakers let you control how the puzzle is built. Typical settings include:

Setting	What it affects	When to change it
Grid size	How many rows and columns the puzzle has	Larger grids fit more or longer words
Word direction	Whether words run forward, backward, diagonal, or all directions	Limit directions for beginners
Letter sharing	Whether words can overlap on shared letters	Allow overlap to make a tighter, harder puzzle
Output format	Whether you get a printable page, answer key, or both	Always generate the answer key for checking

For a first puzzle, use a moderate grid and allow only forward and downward words. Increase difficulty once you know the tool handles your word list cleanly.

Step 4: Generate the Puzzle and Review the Answer Key

Click the generate or create button. The tool builds the grid and places your words. Then:

Open the answer key and confirm every word appears.
Check that no word is cut off or missing letters.
Read the puzzle as a solver would to make sure it is solvable.

If a word is missing, it usually means it was too long for the grid or the tool could not fit it with the current settings.

Step 5: Print, Download, or Share

Once the puzzle looks right, use the print or download option to save it. Print the puzzle and the answer key as separate pages so you can hand out the puzzle without the solution. If the tool offers a share link, you can send the puzzle digitally instead.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

A word won't fit: shorten the word, enlarge the grid, or allow more word directions.
Letters seem missing: regenerate the puzzle; placement conflicts can occasionally drop a word.
The puzzle is too easy or too hard: adjust word direction and letter sharing rather than rebuilding from scratch.
The answer key doesn't match: regenerate both the puzzle and key together so they stay in sync.

Quick Checklist

[ ] Word search option selected
[ ] Word list entered, one word per line
[ ] Grid size and directions set for your audience
[ ] Puzzle generated and answer key reviewed
[ ] Puzzle and key printed or saved separately

With these steps, you can produce a clean, solvable word search and a matching answer key in one sitting, then reuse the same settings for future puzzles.