How to use the solver
Type the grid one row per line, using just the letters; spaces between them are fine. Then list the words to find, one per line or separated by commas, and press Find the words. Each word that is found is highlighted in the grid and crossed off the list, with the row, column and direction where it starts.
The solver looks in all eight directions: across, down, both diagonals and all of those backwards. If a word is not found, check the spelling in the list and the letters in that part of the grid, because a single typing mistake is enough to hide it.
Tips for finding words yourself
Look for unusual letters first. A word with a Q, X, Z or J is easier to spot because those letters are rare in the grid. Double letters such as the LL in BALLOON also stand out.
Scan one row at a time for the first letter of the word, then check the eight squares around each match for the second letter. Working through the list from longest word to shortest helps, since long words leave fewer places for the others to hide.
If you are making your own puzzles to test solvers, the word search maker can produce a grid with an answer key in seconds, so you can check that every word really is hidden.
Questions and answers
Does it find words written backwards?
Yes. It searches in all eight directions, including diagonals and backwards.
Can I take a photo of the puzzle?
Not yet. For now, type the grid in by hand, one row per line.
Why does it say the rows are different lengths?
Every row of a word search should have the same number of letters. A missing or extra letter usually means a typing mistake.
Can I make my own puzzle?
Yes. Use the word search maker to create and print one.