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Large print Scrabble and easy-to-see word games
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In the US, large print Scrabble comes from specialist vendors and not from Hasbro's main range. This guide shows the options, who each suits, and what to try if you would rather improve the set you already own.
What is large print Scrabble?
It is the standard game made easier to see. The version sold by vision-aid vendors such as MaxiAids is a modified Deluxe Scrabble. Its description lists a rotating game board and low vision tiles with bold black letters and numbers, half an inch high, on a white background. The Job Accommodation Network, an accessibility resource for workplaces, also lists the set.
We did not find this complete set on Amazon. Look at the MaxiAids low vision Scrabble page or Vision Forward, which runs an online store. Stock changes, and one store showed the set as available on backorder when we checked. It plays by the standard rules, so our rules guide and scoring guide still apply.
How big is the print?
The tile letters and numbers on the low vision edition are half an inch high, in bold black on white. The listings do not give the overall tile size or the board print, so check with the vendor before you buy if that matters to you.
Who it suits
It suits anyone who finds standard tiles hard to read or awkward to pick up. That includes older players, people with low vision, and families playing across generations. The vendor describes it as useful for seniors, schools, and senior living communities.
If sight loss is more severe, a Braille edition exists. MaxiAids sells a Deluxe Scrabble Braille version with 100 letter tiles and wooden racks. See its Braille Scrabble page.
Which option should you choose?
Buy the accessible edition if you do not own a board. Swap in low vision tiles if you already do. Choose a cheaper fix if you only struggle with reading upside down, scoring, or glare.
| Option | What it fixes | What stays the same |
|---|---|---|
| Accessible low vision edition | Half-inch letters on tiles; a board that turns | You need a whole new set, from a specialist vendor |
| Low vision tiles for your own board | Letters and numbers on the tiles | Board print and racks stay standard size |
| Lazy susan turntable | Reading words from the wrong side | The print stays standard size |
| Online score keeper on a tablet | Scores you can zoom in on | Board and tile print |
| Bananagrams Big Letter | Large tiles, no board to read | It is a different game |
| Super Big Boggle | A bigger 6 by 6 grid | It is a different game |
Low vision tiles for a board you own
This is the cheapest way to make a standard set easier to read. The listing describes durable white plastic tiles with bold black half-inch letters, sold by MaxiAids. Check that the size suits your board and racks before you order, because the listing does not give the tile size.
Easier reading with a standard set
A turntable stops anyone reading upside down or leaning across the table. The accessible edition already has a rotating board, so this is for a standard board you own. This one is 18 inches wide, so measure your board first.
Easier score keeping
For free large-type scoring, our online score keeper runs in a browser, so you can open it on a tablet and zoom in. Our printable score sheet can also be enlarged with your browser's zoom before you print. We did not find a large-print Scrabble score book on Amazon that we could check, so we have not added one.
Other word games with bigger pieces
Bananagrams Big Letter has large, easy-to-read tiles and no board. It is a race to build your own word grid, so it is not Scrabble, but it uses the same skills.
Super Big Boggle is a word game with a 6 by 6 grid of 36 letter cubes and a 4-minute sand timer. It is aimed at ages 8 and up and asks for words of four letters or more. You race the timer to find words in a grid of letters.
For more ideas, see our games like Scrabble guide, or our word games for seniors.
A large print dictionary
There is also a large print edition of the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary from Merriam-Webster, which helps when the argument is about a word and not a tile. When we checked, Amazon showed only one copy left in stock, so look at the edition and the condition before you order. We have not added a buy card for it.
Practical tips
- Light: play somewhere well lit, with a lamp that points at the board and not into anyone's eyes.
- Contrast: a plain, dark tablecloth makes light tiles easier to pick out.
- Glasses: keep reading glasses on the table.
- Pace: agree house rules before you start, such as more time for each turn.
Common questions
Is there a large print version of Scrabble?
Yes, but it comes from specialist vendors. MaxiAids sells a modified Deluxe Scrabble with a rotating board and tiles with half-inch black letters on white.
How big are the letters on large print Scrabble tiles?
The low vision tiles have bold black letters and numbers half an inch high on a white background.
Can I buy large print Scrabble on Amazon?
We did not find a complete large print set on Amazon. We did find low vision tiles sold by MaxiAids, which you can use with a standard board.
Is there a Braille version of Scrabble?
Yes. MaxiAids lists a Deluxe Scrabble Braille version with 100 letter tiles and wooden racks.
Do the tiles stay in place on the board?
Not on every board. Some travel editions have a raised grid or a tile-locking board that holds tiles in place, which can help if the board is knocked. See our guide to Scrabble sets.
Can I make my own Scrabble set easier to see?
Yes. Add low vision tiles or a lazy susan, play under good light on a plain dark cloth, and keep scores in a large-type app. Our guide to Scrabble sets compares the other editions.
Can I keep score on a tablet?
Yes. Our online score keeper works in a browser, so you can open it on a tablet and zoom in.
Related: Which Scrabble set should you buy? · Gifts for Scrabble lovers · Score keeper · Printable score sheet · Rules