Spelling word search generator
Paste this week's spelling list and get a printable word search with answer key in seconds. Lowercase option, easy to hard levels, free for teachers.
Spelling Words — Week 1
NameDate
- another
- answer
- beautiful
- because
- build
- different
- enough
- friend
- learn
- listen
- through
- whole
Spelling Words — Week 1 — Answer key
More options: directions, letters, layout
13 × 13 grid · 12 words
Tips for a great spelling word search
Spelling lists change every week, so a generator saves real time: paste the list (one word per line or comma-separated), print, and you have a homework page and an answer key. Lowercase letters match how children see the words in their reading books.
A word search is good spelling practice because it forces letter-by-letter attention — a child can't find "beautiful" by its shape alone, they need to track b-e-a-u. Ask students to write each word after finding it to turn recognition into recall.
Differentiate easily: print the Easy level for students who are still building confidence and the Hard level (backwards and diagonals) for early finishers. Both use the same list, so the whole class practices the same words.
Recommended settings
- Paste the list straight from your planner
- Lowercase matches reading books
- Easy + Hard for differentiation
- Copy link to share with families
How to make a word search
- Type your words. Enter a title and your word list — one word or phrase per line, or separated by commas. Up to 60 words.
- Choose the difficulty. Easy hides words across and down, Medium adds diagonals, Hard adds backwards words and Expert also uses decoy letters. Pick a grid size or leave it on Auto.
- Check the answer key. Switch to the Answer key tab to see every word circled. Click New layout for a different arrangement of the same words.
- Print, save or play. Click Print / Save PDF for the puzzle on page 1 and the answer key on page 2, download a PNG, or click Play online.
FAQ
How do I make a spelling word search?
Spelling lists change every week, so a generator saves real time: paste the list (one word per line or comma-separated), print, and you have a homework page and an answer key. Lowercase letters match how children see the words in their reading books.
How do I make a word search with an answer key?
Type or paste your words, choose a difficulty and click Print / Save PDF. Page 1 is the puzzle and page 2 is the answer key with every word circled. Switch to the Answer key tab to preview it.
How many words can I put in a word search?
Up to 60 words or short phrases, in grids from 8 × 8 to 30 × 30. Auto size picks a grid that fits all your words; for the best puzzles keep about half of the squares as filler letters.
Why did some of my words not fit?
A word must be no longer than the grid is wide, and very full grids can run out of room. Choose a bigger grid size, allow more directions or remove a few words — the maker lists anything it could not place.
Can I make a word search harder?
Yes: choose Hard (all 8 directions, including backwards) or Expert, which also fills empty squares with decoy letters taken from your own words. Bigger grids and hidden word lists make it harder still.