How to Play Word Hunt
Everything you need to know about the free online word puzzle game.
What is Word Hunt?
Word Hunt is a fast-paced word puzzle game where you swipe across a grid of letter tiles to form words. Originally made popular by Game Pigeon on iMessage, Word Hunt challenges you to find as many valid English words as possible before time runs out. On WordHunt.org, you can play Word Hunt online for free on any device — no app download needed.
Basic Rules
- Connect adjacent letters by dragging across the grid. Tiles are adjacent horizontally, vertically, and diagonally.
- Each tile can only be used once per word. You cannot revisit a tile within the same swipe.
- Words must be at least 3 letters long and must be valid English dictionary words.
- Release to submit. When you lift your finger or mouse button, the word is automatically checked and scored.
- No duplicate words. Each word can only be scored once per game.
Scoring System
Longer words are worth significantly more points. Here is the full scoring breakdown:
| Word Length | Points |
|---|---|
| 3 letters | 100 |
| 4 letters | 400 |
| 5 letters | 800 |
| 6 letters | 1,400 |
| 7 letters | 1,800 |
| 8+ letters | +400 per extra letter |
A single 6-letter word is worth more than fourteen 3-letter words. Prioritize longer words whenever possible.
Game Modes
Daily Puzzle
A new 4x4 board every day with a 90-second timer. Every player gets the exact same board, and scores are ranked on the daily leaderboard. You can retry as many times as you want — only your best score counts. Play today's daily puzzle →
Free Play
Unlimited puzzles with no daily limit. Choose your grid size (3x3, 4x4, 5x5, or 6x6) and set a custom timer. Great for practicing and improving your skills. Start a free play game →
Challenge a Friend
Create a challenge room, share the code with a friend, and compete head-to-head on the same board. See who can find more words!
Grid Sizes Explained
- 3x3 — 9 tiles. Short, fast rounds with fewer word possibilities. Good for quick games.
- 4x4 — 16 tiles. The classic Word Hunt experience, matching the Game Pigeon format.
- 5x5 — 25 tiles. More room for longer words and higher scores.
- 6x6 — 36 tiles. The largest grid, offering the most word possibilities and the highest scoring potential.
Tips & Strategies
- Scan the whole board first. Spend 2-3 seconds looking for letter clusters before you start swiping.
- Hunt for common endings. Look for -ING, -TION, -ED, -ER, -LY, and -NESS near the edges and corners.
- Build off found words. If you find CAT, check whether CATS, CATCH, or CATER are also on the board.
- Prioritize long words. One 6-letter word (1,400 pts) is worth more than three 4-letter words (1,200 pts total).
- Use all directions. Diagonal connections are easy to miss but often unlock the best words.
- Try common prefixes. UN-, RE-, PRE-, and OUT- can extend shorter words into high-scoring plays.
- Practice with the solver. After a game, use the Word Hunt Solver to see what words you missed and learn patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Word Hunt?
Word Hunt is a word puzzle game where players drag across a grid of letters to connect adjacent tiles and form valid English words. It is similar to Boggle and was popularized by Game Pigeon on iMessage. WordHunt.org lets you play Word Hunt online for free in your browser.
Can I play Word Hunt on a computer?
Yes! WordHunt.org works in any modern browser on desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone. No app or download is needed.
Is this the same as the Game Pigeon Word Hunt?
WordHunt.org is inspired by the Word Hunt mode in Game Pigeon for iMessage. The core gameplay is identical — swipe across adjacent letters to form words — but WordHunt.org adds daily challenges, leaderboards, multiple grid sizes, a solver, and free Wordle.
Is Word Hunt free?
Completely free. No ads, no in-app purchases, and no signup required. Play unlimited puzzles anytime.
What is the minimum word length?
Words must be at least 3 letters long to count.