Diagonal Word Search

Diagonal words are what make a word search tricky. This page opens Normal mode, where words can run across, down and along both forward diagonals. For the full challenge, Hard mode also adds backwards and upward diagonals.

Most people find across and down words quickly, then get stuck on the last two or three. Those are almost always diagonals – which is why it's worth learning to scan for them deliberately.

How to spot diagonal words

Pick the first letter of a word and look at the four cells diagonally around it.
If the second letter is there, follow that line.
Try tilting your head – diagonal lines become easier to read.
Search diagonals last, after rows and columns are done.

Which mode has which directions?

Easy: across and down only. Normal: across, down and both forward diagonals. Hard: all eight directions, including backwards. Choose the mode that matches the challenge you want.