How does the Word Search Solver work?

Enter your word search grid letters and the words you need to find. Our solver scans horizontally, vertically, diagonally, and backwards to locate each word and highlight its position in the grid.

Can I solve word search puzzles from a picture?

Yes! Upload an image of your word search puzzle and our OCR technology will extract the grid and word list. You can review and adjust the results before solving. Manual entry is also available.

What directions does the solver check?

The solver finds words in all 8 directions: horizontal (left-to-right and right-to-left), vertical (top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top), and diagonal (all 4 diagonal directions).

Is this word search solver free?

Yes! Our word search solver is completely free to use. Solve unlimited puzzles with no registration required.

What size grids can the solver handle?

The solver works with any grid size, from small 5x5 puzzles to large 20x20 grids. Just enter your grid dimensions and letters.

Word Search Solver

Solve any word search puzzle instantly! Enter your grid and the words to find. Our solver searches horizontally, vertically, and diagonally in all directions.

Grid Setup

Width (columns)

Height (rows)

Enter letters for each cell in your word search grid. Use spaces or dashes for empty cells.

Words to Find

Enter words to find (one per line)

Solving puzzle...

Free word search solver for puzzles of any size. Finds words in all 8 directions (horizontal, vertical, diagonal, and backwards). Perfect for homework help or checking your solutions!

How to Use the Word Search Solver

Step-by-Step Instructions

Upload an Image (Optional): Click "Upload Image" to scan a photo of your word search. Our OCR will extract the grid and words automatically
Or Enter Manually: Set your grid size and type each letter into the grid. The cursor will automatically move to the next cell
Enter Words to Find: Type or paste the list of words you need to find (one word per line), or leave blank to find all possible words
Solve: Click "Solve Puzzle" and see all words highlighted in the grid with their locations

Tips for Faster Solving

Use image upload: Take a clear photo of your puzzle for instant OCR extraction. Works best with good lighting and minimal glare
Verify OCR results: After scanning, double-check the extracted letters for accuracy before solving
Find all words: Leave the word list blank to find all valid English words in the grid using our dictionary
Copy-paste word lists: If your puzzle has the word list as text, copy and paste it directly into the word list box
Mobile-friendly: Works great on phones and tablets - snap a photo or enter letters on the go

About Word Search Puzzles

Word search puzzles are grids filled with letters where words are hidden in straight lines. Words can run horizontally, vertically, or diagonally in any direction, including backwards. Popular word search games include Word Search by PlaySimple, Word Search Explorer, and our own Word Search Game.

How Word Search Games Work

In word search games, you're given a grid of letters and a list of words to find. The words are hidden within the grid and can appear in 8 different directions:

Horizontal: Left-to-right or right-to-left
Vertical: Top-to-bottom or bottom-to-top
Diagonal: In all four diagonal directions, forwards or backwards

When you find a word, you select it by dragging from the first letter to the last letter. Most games highlight found words and cross them off your list.

Word Search Difficulty Levels

Beginner: Small 8x8 to 10x10 grids with 8-12 short words (3-6 letters). Words usually only go horizontal and vertical
Intermediate: 12x12 to 15x15 grids with 12-20 words of varying lengths. Includes diagonal words
Advanced: 15x15 to 20x20 grids with 20-30+ longer words. Words go in all directions including backwards
Expert: 20x20 or larger grids with 30-50+ words, often themed with related vocabulary

Tips for Finding Words Faster

Scan for unique letters: Look for Q, Z, X, J first - they stand out and appear in fewer words
Check word endings: Common endings like -ING, -TION, -ED are easier to spot
Search by category: If the puzzle is themed (animals, cities, etc.), knowing the category helps
Work systematically: Scan row by row, then column by column, then diagonals
Start with short or long words: Very short (3 letters) or very long words (8+ letters) are easier to find than medium-length words

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this solve word search puzzles from a picture?

Yes! Click "Upload Image" to upload a photo of your word search puzzle. Our OCR technology will automatically extract the grid and word list. You can review and correct any errors before solving.

Does it work on mobile devices?

Yes! The solver is fully responsive and works great on phones and tablets.

Can I solve puzzles in other languages?

Yes! The solver works with any alphabet. Just enter the letters from your puzzle in any language.

What if some words aren't found?

Double-check that all letters are entered correctly and the word list matches exactly. The solver is case-insensitive.