🔍 Word Search Guide

Ten by ten of random letters. Some of them spell words. Your job is to spot them before the tea goes cold.

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What is Word Search?

Word Search is a pattern-spotting game. You're given a 10x10 grid of letters plus a list of words hiding somewhere inside it. Find them all and you've finished the puzzle.

Game Rules

Grid: play takes place on a 10x10 letter board.
Words: every word on the list has to be found.
Directions: words can run horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
Orientation: they read forwards or backwards.
Intersections: words can share letters where they cross.
Selection: drag your finger or mouse across the letters to claim a word.

Difficulty Levels

Pick the challenge that fits your mood:

Easy
Standard mode. Every letter is visible - ideal for relaxed play.
Medium
Challenge mode. Only the first and last letters of each word are shown; the rest is down to you.
Hard
Expert mode. No letters in the word list at all - find them by length and guesswork alone.

Search Strategies

Systematic Scanning
Sweep the grid row by row, hunting for the first letter of each word on the list.
Highlight Letters
Keep an eye out for less common letters - Z, J, X, Q. If any appear in your words they're far easier to spot first.
Groupings
Mind the familiar endings (-TION, -ING) and double letters - they show up against the background.
Smart Help
If you're properly stuck, tap the lightbulb icon 💡 or ease the difficulty setting to reveal more hints.

What It Sharpens

The quiet work your brain does while you play:

Attention
Improves concentration and an eye for detail.
Recognition
Reinforces the knack of recognising visual patterns quickly.
Vocabulary
Refreshes the spelling of words you know and introduces a few you don't.
Relaxation
A calm, low-stakes way to keep the mind occupied for ten minutes.

More Guides

Hive Guide
Hive Rules
Hive Guide
All Guides
Help Index
All Guides

Ready to play?

Pop into Word Search and see how quickly you can clear the grid.

Play Word Search