Can words be written backwards?

Only on Large grids, where words can run in all eight directions, including backwards and upwards. On Small grids they read left to right, top to bottom or diagonally down-right, and Medium adds diagonally up-right. You can drag in either direction on any grid.

Which grid size should I start with?

Start with small to learn the method, then move up to medium and large as you get faster.

What is the quickest way to find a word?

Look for its first letter, then check only the directions your grid allows: right, below and down-right on Small, also up-right on Medium, and all around the letter on Large.

How to Win at Word Hunt: Word Search Tips & Tricks

Word Hunt is a race against the clock, so a smart search method beats staring at the grid hoping a word jumps out. Knowing how words are placed in our game cuts your search time a lot. These tips work for every theme and grid size, from a quick small grid to a big, crowded one.

Word Hunt
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Know the directions for your grid

In Word Hunt, the directions words can run depend on the grid size. On Small grids, words read left to right across a row, top to bottom down a column, or diagonally down and to the right, so when you find a first letter you only need to check three neighbours: right, below and down-right. On Medium grids, also look diagonally up and to the right. On Large grids, words can run in any of the eight directions, including backwards and upwards, so check every neighbour around the letter.

Hunt by first letter

Pick a word from the list and look only for its first letter. Each time you spot one, check the next letter in the directions your grid size allows. If it does not match, move on. This is far quicker than reading the grid line by line, especially on large boards where words hide among many letters.

Start with the easy targets

Words with rare letters such as Z, X, Q, J or K stand out because those letters appear only a few times. Long words are also easier to find than short ones. Clear these first to build confidence and save time, then come back for the short, common words at the end.

Keep an eye on the clock as you go. If a word refuses to show up, skip it and come back later with fresh eyes. Time spent stuck on one word is time you could use to find three others.

Use the theme

Each theme has its own set of words: Sports, Food, Animals, Cities and Colors, with Mix combining them. Once you know a theme, you will start to recognise its words and their spellings. Double letters, as in COOKIE or RABBIT, make two identical letters side by side that are easy to spot.

Select cleanly

Drag in a straight line from the first letter to the last. Our game accepts the selection in either direction, so you can drag from the end back to the start if that is easier. On a keyboard, move with the arrows and press Enter or Space on the first and last letters for precise selection.

Questions

Can words be written backwards?: Only on Large grids, where words can run in all eight directions, including backwards and upwards. On Small grids they read left to right, top to bottom or diagonally down-right, and Medium adds diagonally up-right. You can drag in either direction on any grid.
Which grid size should I start with?: Start with small to learn the method, then move up to medium and large as you get faster.
What is the quickest way to find a word?: Look for its first letter, then check only the directions your grid allows: right, below and down-right on Small, also up-right on Medium, and all around the letter on Large.

Word Hunt
Play Word Hunt ›