Build a printable word search from a CEFR level or your own word list. You can show the words as clues, or show only their meanings, so students first work out which word they’re looking for and then find it.
Three Levels of Difficulty
| Difficulty | Words can run | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | Across (left to right) and down | Young learners and A1–A2 classes |
| Medium | Across, down and diagonally to the right | Most classes |
| Hard | In any of eight directions, including backwards | Fast finishers and older learners |
Words or Meanings as Clues
With word clues the puzzle is a spelling and word-recognition task, and students tick each word off as they find it. With meaning clues they read something like “a large area of trees”, find FOREST in the grid and write it on the line. That adds reading for meaning to the spelling, which makes the same puzzle work for a stronger group. The answer key lists the words in the same order as the clues.
How the Puzzle Is Built
- Up to 15 words, in a grid of 10 to 15 squares a side that grows to fit the longest word.
- Phrases such as “ice cream” are hidden without the space.
- Words are allowed to cross, but one word never sits completely on top of another.
- A word longer than 15 letters, or a 16th word, is left out, and the page tells you which ones (on screen only).
- The answer key, on its own page, is the same grid with every hidden word highlighted.
How to Make a Word Search
- Choose a CEFR level and word type, or type your own words in the box.
- Choose how many words to hide (6 to 15).
- Pick the difficulty and the kind of clue.
- Press Make my sheet, then Print / save as PDF.
Want another puzzle with the same settings? New version picks new words and builds a new grid. The “link to this exact sheet” brings back the one you printed.
Classroom Ideas
- Early finishers: keep a few copies at the right level for students who finish a task early.
- Unit review: paste in the unit’s vocabulary so students meet the words again in a low-pressure way.
- Pair race: two students share one puzzle and take turns; the first to find five words reads them aloud with their meanings.
- Meaning hunt: at B1 and above, use meaning clues and ask students to write a sentence with three of the words they found.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the word search maker free?
Yes, it is free for everyone and you don’t need an account. Pro members can print without the English Finders name and footer.
How many words can a word search have?
Up to 15. The grid is between 10 and 15 squares wide, so each word can be up to 15 letters long.
How do I make the puzzle harder?
Choose “Hard” so words can run in any direction, even backwards, and show the meanings instead of the words as clues.
Is there an answer key?
Yes. It comes on its own page after the puzzle: the same grid with the hidden words highlighted, plus the list of answers when you use meaning clues.
Can I use words from my coursebook?
Yes. Type or paste them into the “own words” box, one per line or separated by commas. Leave the box empty to use words from the CEFR level you chose.
More Free Teacher Tools
Need something else for your next lesson? These free tools use the same CEFR word lists.