Building puzzles

Building a word search

Word searches reuse the exact same word list as crosswords, with a few grid options of their own.

On the same EV Puzzles Settings→Generate page, scroll to Word Search Creation.

1. Set your grid size (rows and columns).
2. Choose whether words can run diagonally, and whether they can be placed reversed (backwards) — both optional, for a harder puzzle.
3. Click Generate. Words are placed longest-first; anything that doesn't fit is listed underneath so you know what to shorten or drop.



4. Not happy with the layout? Click Generate again — it's random each time, so a re-roll often fits more words.
5. Name it and click Save.
6. Load existing Word Search lets you reopen or reuse any saved puzzle, with its plays/completions shown inline.