Online word games aren’t a new entertainment phenomenon, but they have become more newsworthy with the buzz around Wordle and its seven-figure purchase. Look, Wordle is great, but it only lets you play one round a day, so what happens when you want to play more?
Luckily for every logophile out there, you have plenty of word games to play – and you can find them right here in our list. Whether you spend a few minutes or several hours playing word games, this roundup of free online word games will test your vocabulary, spelling skills, and wit. Many offer cross-platform play, too, so you can play on all of your devices, wherever you go.
Best free word games online
Which word game is the best to play right now? Everyone we asked seemed to have their favourite word game, but there was a lot of overlap between game fans. All of the titles offer a free version, but some offer premium upgrades. We made sure to note if it's an app-only game or if you can sit and play on a desktop or tablet through a web browser.
Be aware that many word games use the same names, so relying on a Google search of the title alone may not bring you to the right place. Avoid websites that require software downloads or that trigger antivirus or firewall protection.
1. Word Wipe
If you like timed games, you should check out Word Wipe. It’s a fast-paced word-building game where you swipe across lines of letter tiles within a big jumble of mixed letters to spell out as many words as you can.
Like any traditional word search puzzle, you can find words up, down, and across, but once you find a hidden word, click to "wipe" it out and earn extra points. Keep swiping to wipe out letters and eventually clear your board.
Word Wipe is only available as a browser-based game, so beware of any mobile versions with the same title or graphics.
2. Wordmeister
If you’re a big Scrabble fan, you may enjoy Wordmeister. You’ll square off against a computer opponent and place tiles down to make words. Like Scrabble, you earn extra points for placing tiles on special letter spots.
Just be aware that the computer tends to use words not commonly used in the American English language.
Within the first two rounds, we saw the use of “dorp” and “oryx,” two South African terms that may be unknown to U.S. players. You can play it in your browser on desktop or mobile.
3. Word Zen
Connect letters with your fingers to spell out increasingly difficult words in Word Zen. This game stands out because of its difficulty levels, which deliver new challenges amidst changing environments and catchy music.
You can download this app for free on Google Play, with in-app purchases available. Just be sure you look for the legit version and not several paid apps under the same name.
4. SpellTower
SpellTower combines the skills of a word search with the level clearing rush of Tetris. Use your finger or mouse to connect letters in any direction for increasingly longer words. As you connect letters, they disappear, bringing down the tower in the process.
SpellTower game has 11 awesome levels that offer plenty of variety. There’s a super-fast "rush" mode, "search" mode on a super-tiny micro board, and a “zen” mode that lets you leisurely find words with no time limitations.
You can play it on a desktop or download it via Google Play and App Store for free. It includes in-app purchases.
5. Codeword
Codeword is an interesting crossword puzzle game where each letter is assigned a number. As you guess a letter in the first set of blanks, each blank space with the same corresponding number auto-fills with that same letter.
If you guess the wrong letter in the first set of blanks, it messes up the rest of the puzzle. However, if you guess right, you can solve it very quickly. You can also ask for clues if you get stuck.
You’ll love this game if you have any interest in codebreaking. And while there’s no background music, it boasts those satisfying "typewriter" sound effects. You can play it for free on the desktop.
6. Skribbl.io
If you’re brave enough to play with strangers on the internet and you can draw with a mouse, you need to check out Skribbl.io. You can join rooms with others or create a private room, and then you’ll pick one of three words to begin drawing.
Can others guess your creation? When it’s your turn to guess, be the first to put your word into the chat. The earliest correct chat guesses earn the most points.
Skribbl.io isn’t moderated, so play at your own risk. But it’s one of the more creative free word games for adults who want to join a quick game similar to Pictionary.
7. Words with Friends
You may have heard about Words with Friends when it was all anyone was talking about. Well, it's still around and incredibly popular. Lots of people use it as a way to reconnect with loved ones or friends, and to keep their spelling skills sharp.
How do Words with Friends work? It’s a lot like Scrabble, and you can take turns spelling words on the board game at your leisure. This high-rated game is available for desktop and on the App Store and Google Play.
If you return to the game after a long hiatus, don’t despair. Words with Friends save all your game info, records, and wins, so you don’t have to start from scratch. Keep in mind that you need to create an account to save your progress. And to actually play with friends, you must connect a Facebook account.
8. Wander Words
Wander Words works a lot like other games on this list because it tasks players with connecting letters to spell out words. What makes it unique is you’ll use all of the letters to create a word or phrase.
Figuring out where to start and dragging your fingers in the right order to connect every letter is a challenge, and the difficulty ramps up as you go. The word/phrase category is revealed at the beginning of each round, so you know if you’re spelling a film director, actor, food, or TV show.
Wander Words is completely free to play in your browser on your desktop.
9. Wordscapes
Wordscapes is a mobile app game for Android and iOS that some players claim is more peaceful than other games. Swipe the letters in any order to create as many words as you can. The difficulty gradually increases with each level, but the different environments and nature settings help to relax the tone and pace.
Wordscapes is ranked highly on both mobile platforms as one of the best anagram games. It’s free to download and play via the App Store and Google Play.
10. Word Bird
Word Bird is a cute, little owl-inspired game that challenges and educates you at the same time. Play to beat your time, or go at a leisurely pace. The game offers daily challenges, so you’ll never get bored. Plus, it boasts 65,000+ puzzles to play. Best of all, you’ll see definitions for every word you try to guess so that you can improve both your spelling and your vocabulary over time.
For those who like to earn badges and brag to friends, Word Bird really shines as one of the best online word games. You receive badges for each accomplishment, and you’re sure to collect several throughout your journey. The adorable owl graphics, whimsical music, and art help to make this game stand out, too. The one downside is that it’s only available for iPad and iPhone devices at this time.
You can download Word Bird for free on the App Store.
What online word game is best?
There’s no shortage of free word puzzle games to try out. You may find that one isn’t for you after just a few rounds, while others may offer hours and even weeks of excitement before you move on.
The top three games on our list – Word Wipe, Wordmeister, and Word Zen – have fans who have played every day for years. The game you end up liking will depend on your preferred way to play (mobile vs desktop) and your personal tastes. Details like colour design, sound effects, and how many free tries you get each day can greatly affect your enjoyment.
People also play for different reasons. If you like a sense of community, try an app with a “compete against friends” feature like Words with Friends. If you use apps to chill out at the end of the day, you’ll love Word Zen’s soothing music and minimal sound effects. And for those word game lovers who want to increase their brain power with increasingly challenging games, SpellTower is the one for you.
With all of this fun, easy-to-play word games available online, you never have to stop playing after you solve the day’s Wordle puzzle.
About the Author: Linsey Knerl is a contributing writer for HP Tech Takes. Linsey is a Midwest-based author, public speaker, and member of the ASJA. She has a passion for helping consumers and small business owners do more with their resources via the latest tech solutions.
