What is the difference between ? and *?

A question mark matches exactly one letter, so it fixes the word's length at that position. An asterisk matches any number of letters, including none, so it is open-ended.

Can I use dots or underscores for blanks?

Yes. Dots (.) and underscores (_) are treated the same as ? — each represents a single unknown letter.

How is this different from the Crossword Solver?

The Crossword Solver uses fixed-length single-blank patterns. The Pattern Finder adds the * wildcard for variable-length runs, making it more flexible for open-ended searches.

Is it good for crosswords?

Very. Enter your known letters and mark the blanks with ?, optionally set the length, and every fitting answer appears instantly, grouped by length.

Completely free with unlimited searches, running privately in your browser with no sign-up.

Letter Pattern Finder

Match words to advanced patterns using fixed letters, ? for a single blank and * for any run of letters — grouped by length and ready to copy.

Updated July 10, 2026 6 min read

Pattern (? = one letter, * = any run of letters)

Exact length

Use fixed letters for what you know, ? for a single unknown letter, and * for any number of letters.

About the Letter Pattern Finder

A letter pattern finder matches words to a template you build from fixed letters and wildcards. Use a question mark for exactly one unknown letter and an asterisk for any run of letters, then combine them with the letters you already know. The AllWordTools.com Pattern Finder searches a huge dictionary and returns every word that fits, grouped by length.

This is the most flexible of our letter tools. Where starts-with, ends-with and contains each search one position, the pattern finder lets you describe a word's whole shape at once — for example "c?t" for three-letter words like cat and cot, or "b*k" for anything from back to bootblack.

It is fast, free and private, running instantly in your browser with no sign-up and no limits.

How to use the Letter Pattern Finder

1
Build your pattern
Type the letters you know, use ? for a single unknown letter and * for any number of letters.
2
Set a length (optional)
Add an exact length to narrow the matches when using * or long patterns.
3
Match pattern
Press Match pattern to search the dictionary and see every word that fits, grouped by length.
4
Copy what you need
Tap any word to copy it, with its Scrabble score shown alongside.

How patterns work

A pattern is a mix of fixed letters and wildcards. A question mark (?) stands for exactly one letter, so "c?t" matches cat, cot, cut and cwt — three letters with c first and t last. An asterisk (*) stands for any number of letters, including none, so "b*k" matches back, book, brick and bootblack. You can use as many wildcards as you like, and dots or underscores work as blanks too.

Because ? fixes the length at one position each while * is open-ended, use ? when you know how long the word is and * when you do not. Adding an exact length is a great way to reel in a broad * pattern.

When to use the Pattern Finder

It shines on crosswords and any puzzle where you know some letters and their positions but not others. Enter the known squares as letters and the blanks as ?, and every candidate answer appears at once. It is also ideal for cryptic clues, for hangman, and for exploring word shapes to learn new vocabulary.

For game plays, describe the exact slot you are filling — including a fixed tile already on the board — and the finder returns only words that genuinely fit that shape.

Examples

Input

c?t

Sample output

cat, cot, cut, cwt

? fills exactly one unknown letter.

Input

b*k

Sample output

back, book, brick, bootblack

* matches any run of letters.

Input

?e??, length: 4

Sample output

best, help, next, term

Combine blanks with an exact length.

Pro tips

Use ? when you know the word's length and * when you don't.
Add an exact length to tame a broad * pattern quickly.
Dots (.) and underscores (_) also work as single-letter blanks.
Anchor the letters you are sure of and let wildcards fill the gaps.
For a 5-letter Wordle-style search, try five ? symbols with a length of 5.

Questions & answers