The puzzle book market is not a level playing field. While some categories are saturated with thousands of generic books, others offer blue ocean opportunities with minimal competition and hungry buyers. This comprehensive analysis breaks down 12 puzzle book types by profitability, competition, difficulty, and market demand.
Before investing in puzzle book creation, it helps to understand what puzzle types resonate with different audiences. Sites like FreeToPlayPuzzles.com offer free online puzzles that can help you research popular formats and see which types engage users most—valuable market research for any puzzle book publisher.
📊 Puzzle Book Market Overview (2026)
- Total market size: $450M+ annually on Amazon alone
- Growth rate: 13% year-over-year (sustained by screen fatigue and wellness trends)
- Average buyer age: 35-70 (but kids books and "bold and easy" formats growing fastest)
- Purchase frequency: Dedicated buyers purchase 8-15 books annually
- Prime buying seasons: December (gifts), July (summer travel), January (New Year goals)
- Digital vs physical: 95% of puzzle book sales are physical (tactile experience preferred)
- Trending format: "Bold and Easy" large-print books surging across all puzzle categories
The 12 Puzzle Book Types Ranked
1. Sudoku (★★★★★ Best Overall)
| Metric | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Competition | Medium | 10,000+ books but high demand absorbs supply |
| Profit Potential | Very High | $8-$12 price point, strong series sales |
| Creation Difficulty | Easy | Automated generators, no themes needed |
| Repeat Purchase | Excellent | Buyers purchase 3-10 books annually |
Why it wins: Universal appeal, language-agnostic, endless variations by difficulty level. Top publishers earn $20K-$50K/month with Sudoku portfolio. Best for series building.
2. Word Search (★★★★☆ Excellent)
| Metric | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Competition | High | 30,000+ books, but niche themes break through |
| Profit Potential | High | $6-$10 typical, volume sales compensate |
| Creation Difficulty | Easy-Medium | Needs theme research, generators available |
| Repeat Purchase | Good | Buyers purchase 2-5 books annually |
Why it's profitable: Theme-based differentiation allows niche dominance (dog lovers, travel, Bible verses). Large print versions for seniors are highly profitable sub-niche.
3. Crossword Puzzles (★★★☆☆ Good)
| Metric | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Competition | Very High | Dominated by established publishers |
| Profit Potential | Medium | $7-$10, harder to differentiate |
| Creation Difficulty | Hard | Requires quality clue writing, time-intensive |
| Repeat Purchase | Excellent | Loyal buyers, high consumption rate |
Challenge: Quality crosswords are hard to create. Automated generators produce poor-quality clues. Best for publishers willing to invest time in manual curation or hire puzzle creators.
4. Mazes (★★★★☆ Excellent for Kids)
| Metric | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Competition | Low-Medium | Under-served compared to other types |
| Profit Potential | High | $6-$9, strong gift market |
| Creation Difficulty | Easy | Generators available, themed variations |
| Repeat Purchase | Medium | Parents buy 1-3 books per child annually |
Sweet spot: Kids ages 4-10. Add coloring elements for double value. Themed mazes (dinosaurs, princesses, vehicles) perform exceptionally well.
5. Logic Puzzles / Brain Teasers (★★★★☆ Excellent)
| Metric | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Competition | Low | Niche audience, limited quality books |
| Profit Potential | Very High | $9-$14, premium pricing accepted |
| Creation Difficulty | Medium-Hard | Requires puzzle design skills or sourcing |
| Repeat Purchase | Good | Enthusiasts buy multiple books |
Types include: Number sequences, pattern recognition, lateral thinking, Kakuro, KenKen. Target audience is highly engaged and willing to pay premium prices.
6. Coloring Books (★★★★☆ Excellent for Specific Niches)
| Metric | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Competition | Very High | Saturated, but niches still profitable |
| Profit Potential | Medium-High | $6-$12 depending on complexity |
| Creation Difficulty | Medium | Need artwork or AI generation skills |
| Repeat Purchase | Medium | 1-2 books per buyer |
Profitable niches: Swear word coloring (adults), mandala (stress relief), specific animals (dogs, horses), occupation-based (nurses, teachers). Avoid generic "adult coloring books."
7. Dot-to-Dot (★★★☆☆ Good for Kids)
| Metric | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Competition | Medium | Moderate supply, consistent demand |
| Profit Potential | Medium | $5-$8, strong educational angle |
| Creation Difficulty | Easy-Medium | Need illustration skills or software |
| Repeat Purchase | Low-Medium | Parents typically buy 1 book |
Best approach: Combine with coloring (dot-to-dot reveals image, then color it). Target ages 3-8. Themed books (animals, vehicles, holidays) perform better than generic.
8. Cryptograms (★★★☆☆ Niche but Loyal)
| Metric | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Competition | Low | Small market but underserved |
| Profit Potential | Medium | $6-$9, niche pricing power |
| Creation Difficulty | Easy | Quote selection + encryption software |
| Repeat Purchase | Very Good | Dedicated fans buy multiple books |
Content angle: Famous quotes, Bible verses, motivational sayings. Themed collections (Mark Twain quotes, Churchill quotes) can dominate tiny sub-niches.
9. Picture Puzzles / Spot the Difference (★★★☆☆ Good)
| Metric | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Competition | Medium | Moderate market saturation |
| Profit Potential | Medium | $6-$10, visual appeal drives sales |
| Creation Difficulty | Medium-Hard | Need photo editing skills or AI tools |
| Repeat Purchase | Medium | Casual buyers, 1-2 books |
Creation tip: Use royalty-free photos, create duplicates, add/remove small details using Photoshop or GIMP. Kids versions perform better than adult versions.
10. Fill-In Puzzles (★★☆☆☆ Moderate)
Competition: Low | Profit Potential: Low-Medium | Difficulty: Hard
Similar to crosswords but with word bank provided. Easier for solvers but harder to create quality puzzles. Small but dedicated audience. Not recommended for beginners.
11. Jumbles / Anagrams (★★☆☆☆ Niche)
Competition: Low | Profit Potential: Low | Difficulty: Easy
Easy to create but limited market appeal. Works better as part of mixed puzzle books rather than standalone. Consider including jumbles as bonus content in word search books.
12. Number Search (★★★☆☆ Underrated)
Competition: Very Low | Profit Potential: Medium-High | Difficulty: Easy
Hidden gem opportunity! Like word search but with numbers (phone numbers, dates, sequences). Appeals to number-oriented people. Very low competition makes it worth exploring.
The "Bold and Easy" Puzzle Book Trend (2025-2026)
🔥 Trending: Bold and Easy Puzzle Books
The "Bold and Easy" format has become one of the fastest-growing trends in KDP puzzle publishing during 2025-2026. Books with "Bold and Easy" in the title are seeing 2-3x higher click-through rates and dominating bestseller charts across multiple puzzle categories.
- What it is: Large print puzzles with simplified designs, thick lines, and oversized grids aimed at maximum readability
- Why it works: Appeals to seniors, vision-impaired solvers, casual puzzlers, and anyone seeking a relaxed solving experience
- Search volume: "Bold and easy" puzzle-related searches have grown 300%+ since early 2025
- Price premium: Bold and Easy books command $1-$3 higher prices than standard formats
Best Puzzle Types for the Bold and Easy Format
Not every puzzle type works equally well in the Bold and Easy format. Here are the strongest performers:
- Word Search (top performer): Large 14-18pt letters, 12x12 or 15x15 grids, one puzzle per page. "Bold and Easy Word Search" titles regularly hit top 100 in puzzle categories.
- Coloring-Puzzle Hybrids: Simple, thick-outline coloring pages paired with word search or maze puzzles. The "Bold and Easy" branding positions these as stress-free activities.
- Sudoku: Extra-large 9x9 grids with 20-24pt numbers. Targets seniors who find standard Sudoku books too small.
- Mazes: Wide paths (0.5"+), fewer dead ends, clear start/finish markers. Popular for younger kids and seniors alike.
- Number Search: Large-format number grids with bold typography. An underserved sub-niche within the Bold and Easy trend.
How to Create Bold and Easy Puzzle Books
- Font size: Minimum 14pt for grid content, 18pt+ preferred. Body text at 16pt+.
- Grid size: Reduce grid dimensions (e.g., 12x12 instead of 20x20 for word search) to allow larger letters.
- Line weight: Use 2-3pt grid lines instead of standard 0.5-1pt. Borders at 4pt+.
- Spacing: Generous white space around puzzles. One puzzle per page is mandatory.
- Title keywords: Always include "Bold and Easy" in the title and subtitle. Add "Large Print" for extra keyword coverage.
- Trim size: 8.5" x 11" is ideal. Some publishers use 8" x 10" for a slightly more portable option.
Pro tip: The Bold and Easy trend works especially well for series building. Create a "Bold and Easy" branded line across multiple puzzle types—"Bold and Easy Word Search Volume 1-5," "Bold and Easy Sudoku Volume 1-5"—to capture buyers who love the format and want more.
Mixed Puzzle Books: The Hybrid Strategy
What Are Mixed Puzzle Books?
Books containing multiple puzzle types (e.g., "Big Book of Puzzles: Sudoku, Word Search, Mazes, Crosswords"). Popular with casual solvers who want variety.
Profitability Analysis
Pros:
- Appeals to broader audience (variety seekers)
- Justifies higher price point ($9-$14)
- Great for gift market (all-in-one solution)
- Stands out in crowded categories
Cons:
- More complex to create (multiple generators needed)
- Lower repeat purchase rate (one book satisfies multiple needs)
- Harder to build series (less differentiation between volumes)
- Competes with specialists in each puzzle type
Recommended Mixed Combinations
- Travel puzzles: Word search + Sudoku + mazes (perfect size: 6" x 9")
- Senior brain games: Large print word search + easy Sudoku + crosswords
- Kids mega book: Mazes + dot-to-dot + word search + coloring
- Logic challenge: Sudoku + KenKen + logic puzzles + cryptograms
Choosing Your Puzzle Type: Decision Framework
Choose Sudoku If:
- You want maximum profit potential with series building
- You prefer automated creation (minimal manual work)
- You're targeting adult audience (all ages)
- You want evergreen content (no trends or themes needed)
Choose Word Search If:
- You have a specific niche/theme in mind
- You want to target seniors (large print) or kids
- You enjoy theme research and curation
- You want both adult and kids market options
Choose Mazes If:
- You're targeting kids market (ages 4-10)
- You want lower competition than word search
- You can add themed illustrations
- You want to combine with coloring for added value
Choose Logic Puzzles If:
- You have puzzle creation skills or resources
- You want premium pricing with less competition
- You're targeting serious puzzle enthusiasts
- You can handle medium-hard creation difficulty
Market Trends & Future Opportunities
Growing Categories (2026)
- "Bold and Easy" format puzzle books: +45% YoY (breakout trend across all puzzle types)
- Large print puzzles for seniors: +20% YoY (aging population + Bold and Easy overlap)
- Educational puzzles for kids: +22% YoY (homeschool and screen-time-reduction trends)
- Travel-size puzzle books: +15% YoY (strong travel market)
- Themed specialty books: +14% YoY (niche dominance strategy)
- Coloring-puzzle hybrids: +18% YoY (combining coloring with word search or mazes)
Declining Categories
- Generic adult coloring books: -8% YoY (trend fading, oversaturated)
- Newspaper-style crosswords: -5% YoY (digital competition)
- Simple kids activity books: -3% YoY (apps competing)
Quick Comparison Table
| Puzzle Type | Best For | Avg Price | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sudoku | Series builders | $8-$12 | Medium |
| Word Search | Niche targeting | $6-$10 | High |
| Mazes | Kids market | $6-$9 | Low-Med |
| Logic Puzzles | Premium pricing | $9-$14 | Low |
| Coloring | Niche themes | $6-$12 | Very High |
Which Puzzle Type Is Right for You? Quick Decision Matrix
Use this matrix to match your skill level, available time, and profit goals to the best puzzle book type for your situation:
| Puzzle Type | Creator Skill Level | Time to Create | Profit Potential | Best Starting Point? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sudoku | Beginner | 2-3 hours | Very High ($8-$12) | Yes - #1 pick |
| Word Search | Beginner | 2-4 hours | High ($6-$10) | Yes - great for niches |
| Bold & Easy Word Search | Beginner | 2-3 hours | Very High ($8-$12) | Yes - trending format |
| Mazes | Beginner | 2-4 hours | High ($6-$9) | Yes - low competition |
| Cryptograms | Beginner | 3-5 hours | Medium ($6-$9) | Niche - loyal audience |
| Number Search | Beginner | 2-3 hours | Medium-High ($6-$10) | Hidden gem opportunity |
| Coloring Books | Intermediate | 5-10 hours | Medium-High ($6-$12) | Only niche themes |
| Dot-to-Dot | Intermediate | 5-8 hours | Medium ($5-$8) | Combine with coloring |
| Crossword Puzzles | Advanced | 15-30 hours | Medium ($7-$10) | Not for beginners |
| Logic Puzzles | Advanced | 10-20 hours | Very High ($9-$14) | High reward, high effort |
| Picture Puzzles | Intermediate | 8-15 hours | Medium ($6-$10) | Needs design skills |
Quick recommendation by experience level:
- Complete beginner: Start with Sudoku or Bold and Easy Word Search. Both use automated generators, require minimal design skills, and have strong profit potential. You can publish your first book within a weekend.
- Intermediate creator (some KDP experience): Expand into themed word search series, maze books for kids, or coloring-puzzle hybrids. Focus on niche domination with 5-10 volume series.
- Advanced publisher (10+ books published): Add logic puzzles and crosswords for premium pricing. Consider mixed puzzle books and the Bold and Easy format across your entire catalog for maximum revenue.
Final Recommendations
For maximum profit potential:
- Start with Sudoku: Launch 5-volume series in one difficulty level (e.g., "Easy Sudoku" volumes 1-5)
- Expand to Word Search: Choose 2-3 specific themes based on keyword research
- Add Mazes for kids: If comfortable with kids market, tap into lower competition
- Test Logic Puzzles: Once established, create premium logic puzzle books for higher margins
- Avoid: Generic coloring books, basic crosswords, and overly saturated niches
The key to puzzle book success isn't picking one "perfect" type—it's starting with high-profit, low-complexity options (Sudoku, word search), building a portfolio, then diversifying into specialized niches. Focus on series building and consistent quality over quantity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sudoku consistently generates the highest profits due to universal appeal, strong series sales, and $8-12 price points.
Beginners can earn $100-500/month; experienced publishers with 10+ books earn $1,000-5,000+/month.
Yes. The puzzle book market exceeds $400M annually on Amazon with 12% year-over-year growth.
Logic puzzles, number search, and cryptograms have the lowest competition with dedicated, high-spending audiences.
Start with single-type books (easier to build series), then consider mixed books for variety seekers once established.
A puzzle generator (for Sudoku, word search, etc.), a design tool like Canva or InDesign, and Amazon KDP account.
Written by Danielle Okonkwo
Marketing & Growth Lead at KDPEasy
Danielle is a published author with 12+ titles on Amazon KDP and a former book blogger. She writes KDPEasy's guides drawing from hands-on publishing experience and years of testing what actually works in the KDP marketplace.
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