Word Search Walkthrough

A short guided path through a Word Search puzzle, from the first scan to the final word.

Need the formal rules? Read the rules.

Step 1: Pick one target word

Choose a word from the list and ignore the rest for a moment. In this example, start with FIRE because its F and E endpoints are easy to check.

Step 2: Find either endpoint

Look for the first or last letter of the target word. For FIRE, scan for F or E, then use nearby letters to decide whether the line is worth testing.

Pick an anchor letter

The F and E cells are useful anchors for FIRE before you scan the diagonal between them.

Step 3: Test one straight line

From an endpoint, read outward in a single row, column, or diagonal. If the next letters do not spell the word, leave that anchor and check another one.

Step 4: Trace the full word

When the letters line up, drag from one end of the word to the other and release after the final letter.

Trace the whole word

Drag directly across F-I-R-E in one diagonal motion, then release on the final letter.

Step 5: Zoom or pan when needed

If the grid feels tight, zoom around the area you are checking. Use the mouse wheel or trackpad on desktop, or pinch on touch screens.

Step 6: Finish the list

Found words stay highlighted and move into the completed group. Pick the next unfinished word and repeat the same endpoint, line-check, trace pattern.

Keep working through the list

Find these words1 more to find

CLOUDFloats in the sky

STARA bright object

CODEA hidden horizontal word

FIREA diagonal example

RIVERMoving water

BOOKSomething to read

A shorter list keeps the focus on the next unfinished word instead of turning the help page into a full puzzle.

Ready to try it? Start a Word Search puzzle.