Large-Print Puzzles for Seniors: Printing Tips & Supplies

What “large print” means

Large-print books usually use type of about 16 to 18 points, compared with roughly 10 to 12 points in a standard paperback. For puzzles, three things matter: the size of each square, the size of the digits or letters, and how dark the grid lines are. A sudoku with big squares and bold box lines is easier to scan than one with the same digits squeezed into a small grid.

Our free printable sudoku puts two puzzles on a page with large, clear digits, and the free word search uses big letters on a 15 × 15 grid. Both come with solutions.

Print puzzles bigger

• Print at 100% first. “Fit to page” can shrink the puzzle slightly; “Actual size” keeps it as designed.
• Go up a paper size. A Letter page prints at 129% on 11 × 17 inch (tabloid) paper, and an A4 page at 141% on A3. Few home printers take those sizes, but most print shops do.
• One puzzle per sheet. Zoom in on one puzzle in your PDF app and print the current view; in Adobe Acrobat Reader it's an option under “Pages to Print”. The puzzle then fills the whole page.
• Print in black. Choose grayscale or black-and-white in the print dialog for the strongest contrast.

Cut glare and boost contrast

Bright white, matte paper of about 24 lb is the best all-rounder: no shine under a lamp, and pencil marks don't show through from the back. Avoid glossy paper. Light matters as much as print size: put a bright lamp to one side rather than directly overhead, so it doesn't reflect off the page, and sit with your back to a window rather than facing it.

The right tools

• A dark, soft pencil. A 2B pencil or a 0.7 mm mechanical pencil writes darker with less pressure, and a mechanical pencil never needs sharpening.
• A good eraser. Soft white vinyl erasers lift pencil cleanly without smudging the grid.
• A firm surface. A letter-size clipboard or a cushioned lap desk makes armchair solving much steadier.
• Extra magnification. A lighted magnifier helps with small print in books and newspapers.
• An easier grip. If a thin pencil is uncomfortable to hold, a foam pencil grip or a thicker pencil can help.
• A highlighter for word searches. Mark each word as you find it, instead of circling, so the letters stay readable.

A simple puzzle gift set

Puzzles make a thoughtful, practical gift for parents, grandparents and neighbors, especially around the holidays. Put together a large-print puzzle book or a folder of printed puzzles, a clipboard, a pack of mechanical pencils and an eraser. Add a reading lamp or a magnifier if the person you're giving it to often struggles with small print. Include the solutions in a separate envelope, so peeking is a choice.

For refills, the Printable Sudoku Pack has 200 puzzles from Easy to Hard, and the Printable Word Search Pack has 100 themed puzzles with big, clear letters. Print a week at a time.

Prefer a screen?

On a tablet, puzzles can be as big as you like. Our free browser games include two calm puzzle games with no ads and no sign-up, and you can pinch to zoom in on any printable PDF before you print it.

Tips for enjoying puzzles every day

• Keep puzzles, pencils and the clipboard together in one basket by the chair.
• Start with Easy puzzles and move up when they feel quick. There's no prize for struggling.
• Do a puzzle with someone: one person reads the clues aloud, the other circles the answers.
• Stuck on a sudoku? Put it down and come back later. Fresh eyes spot the next number surprisingly often.