Type or paste this week's spelling words into the box and press the button. Each word is shown, then covered, then typed from memory.
How the test works
- Put in your words. Type or paste them into the box beside the heading and press "Use these words". Up to 40 words.
- Look at the word. It is shown on the road. When your child is ready, they press Space.
- Type it from memory. The letters are covered and no key is lit. The letters typed so far show in the corner.
- See the result. The card says how many words were right the first time and lists the ones to practice. One button starts a round of just those words.
What counts as right
A word typed with no wrong key is right. A wrong key is a slip: the game waits for the right letter, and the word goes on the practice list. After three slips in one word the word is shown again with the next key lit, so nobody is left stuck.
Show the word, or say it
Where a device has a voice of its own, two choices appear beside the box: "Show the word" and "Say the word". With "Say the word", the word is said aloud and not shown before it is typed, and Space says it again, the way a spelling bee gives a word. The voice belongs to the device, so the word is not sent anywhere. Some browsers have no such voice, and there the test shows each word first.
Test or practice?
Spelling practice keeps every word in view and lights each key: use it early in the week. The test covers the word: use it once the list feels familiar.
What the box accepts
Plain words made of letters, from 2 to 14 letters long. Capitals become small letters, and an apostrophe is dropped, so "don't" is typed as "dont". A word with an accent or a hyphen is left out, and so is a word on the game's blocked list. The corner of the game says how many were left out. Your list is not saved and is not sent to us or to anyone else.
Ready-made word lists
For common words by level, see the sight word lists, or print a checklist to keep track on paper. For more to do with the same list before the test, see ways to practice spelling words.
Questions
Is the spelling test free?
Yes. There are no ads and nothing to sign up for.
How does it test spelling?
Each word is shown, then covered, then typed from memory. A word typed with no wrong key counts as right. The others are listed to practice.
Can it say the words aloud, like a spelling bee?
Where the device has a voice of its own, choose "Say the word". The word is said aloud and not shown before it is typed, and Space says it again.
Is my word list saved?
No. The list stays on the page until you close it. It is not saved and not sent anywhere.