Set the word shape
Type known letters in place and use ? or _ for each unknown position.
Word Pattern Matcher for Known Letters and Blanks
Type known letters in their exact spots, use ? or _ for blanks,
and get words that match that shape.
Known letters Wildcard blanks Exact length Pattern first
Your pattern
Start with the shape you already know
The pattern length sets the word length. Add fixed letters when a broad pattern returns too many candidates.
Use letters, ?, or _. Spaces and punctuation are ignored.
Try:
Control word length
The number of characters in the pattern is the exact word length searched.
Narrow broad searches
Add more fixed letters when a pattern like _____ returns too many candidates.
Enter a letter pattern above, or try an example.
Use patterns when position matters more than letter order
Pattern matching is fastest when you know the answer length and a few fixed spots. It does not infer clue meaning; it gives you a clean shortlist that matches the visible shape.
Count every square
The number of letters, ? symbols, and underscores becomes the exact word length.
Lock known letters in place
Use real letters only where the position is certain. Use blanks everywhere else.
Bring the clue back last
After the list appears, choose candidates that fit the crossword, Wordle, or puzzle clue.
Pattern cues
Exact length
A five-character pattern only returns five-letter words.
Fixed spots
More known letters make the candidate list much easier to scan.
Blanks
Both ? and _ mean one unknown letter in one position.
Watch these edge cases
Very broad patterns such as _____ can return many candidates. Add known letters as soon as you have them.
Spaces and punctuation are removed so copied clue patterns stay usable.
What the matcher checks
The matcher cleans pasted patterns, converts ? and _ into single-letter wildcards, and compares the complete pattern against WordyLab's word-game data.
Pattern examples
Examples, edge cases, and methodology for word patterns
Use these checks when the word shape is clear but the answer still needs a tighter shortlist.
Sample pattern checks
Input What to check Why it matters
_A_E CAKE, DATE, FACE Use when the word length and middle letters are known.
PR__F PROOF style matches Known starts and endings narrow the search quickly.
S?A?E 5-letter pattern Useful for Wordle-style clues when positions matter.
Watch these edge cases
- Pattern length controls word length exactly.
- Use only letters plus ? or _ for unknown positions.
- Spaces and punctuation are removed so copied patterns stay usable.
- Very broad patterns such as _____ can return many candidates, so add letters when possible.
What the matcher checks
The matcher cleans pasted patterns, converts each ? or _ into a single-letter wildcard, then compares the complete pattern against WordyLab's word-game data. It does not infer clue meaning or game rules; it returns transparent pattern matches.
Word Pattern Matcher FAQ
How do I find a word by pattern?
Type the letters you know in their exact positions and use ? or _ for each unknown letter. The pattern length becomes the word length, so _A_E only searches four-letter words.
Can I search for any word length?
Yes. The number of characters in your pattern sets the word length, so _____ searches five-letter words.
What do underscores and question marks mean?
Both mean any single unknown letter. Use actual letters for fixed positions.
Is this different from the Crossword Solver?
Yes. This page is a pure pattern matcher. The Crossword Solver adds clue context for users solving a crossword grid.
Need clue context or game rules too?
Move to a solver that matches the rule set once the shape alone is not enough.