Why Word Patterns?
Word pattern encoding hides messages in ordinary-looking text. These puzzles are satisfying because the solution is "hidden in plain sight":
- Steganographic — The puzzle text can look completely normal
- Thematic — Write a story, poem, or description that serves double duty
- Accessible — No special tools required to decode
- Creative freedom — Express your writing style while encoding
Common Word Pattern Methods
Acrostic (First Letters)
First letter of each word or line spells a message.
Word Length Pattern
The number of letters in each word forms coordinate digits.
Nth Letter Extraction
Take the 2nd, 3rd, or last letter of each word.
Sentence/Line Position
Extract specific words from specific positions.
Capital Letter Messages
Random capitalisation spells out the hidden message.
Method 1: Acrostic Messages
The classic approach—first letters of words or lines spell your message:
Example poem:
Forests hold many secrets
In shadows deep and cool
Venture past the old stone wall
Explore the woodland pool
First letters spell: FIVE
Tips for Natural Acrostics
- Plan backwards: Start with your message, then write around it
- Use flexible words: "X" can be "eXplore", "neXt", "siX"
- Vary line length: Same-length lines look suspicious
- Make sense: The text should read naturally when spoken aloud
Method 2: Word Length Encoding
Each word's letter count becomes a coordinate digit. This is one of the most elegant encoding methods:
Target: N 51° 23.456
Need word lengths: 5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
"North I am the only hidden"
(5-1-2-3-4-6 letters... close but needs adjustment)
Tool: Use our Word Length Analyzer to check your text and verify the digit pattern.
Common Challenge: Getting 0
There's no word with 0 letters! Solutions:
- • Use 10-letter words for "10" (interpreted as 1-0)
- • Use punctuation: a hyphen or period means "0"
- • Split the coordinate differently to avoid zeros
- • Use a number word: "zero" counts as 4 letters
Step-by-Step Creation
1. Choose Your Method
Acrostic for short messages, word lengths for coordinate digits, nth letters for variety.
2. Map Your Message
Write out exactly what needs encoding. For coordinates: 51, 23, 456 etc.
3. Draft Your Text
Write naturally at first, then adjust words to fit your pattern requirements.
4. Verify the Pattern
Use CacheHack tools to confirm your encoding works correctly.
5. Add a Subtle Hint
Point solvers toward the method without giving it away. "First impressions matter" hints at first letters.
Complete Example Puzzle
Cache Title: "Between the Lines"
Cache description:
"Sometimes the answer isn't in what you read, but how you read it. Count on every word to guide you."
The secret message:
"Trees I go for a walk daily."
"Above we sail these warm waters."
Solution:
"Count on every word" = word length encoding
Line 1: Trees(5) I(1) go(2) for(3) a(1) walk(4) daily(5) → 5123145
Line 2: Above(5) we(2) sail(4) these(5) warm(4) waters(6) → 524546
Coordinates: N 51° 23.145, W 05° 24.546
Difficulty Variations
Easy (D1-D1.5)
- State the method explicitly ("First letters of each line")
- Use obvious formatting (lines in a clear list)
- Keep the text short
Medium (D2-D2.5)
- Hint at the method without stating it
- Write in natural prose (no obvious line breaks)
- Use longer text to hide the pattern
Hard (D3+)
- No hints about the method
- Combine multiple pattern types
- Use less common extractions (every 3rd word, etc.)
Pro Tips
- Read it aloud. If the text sounds forced or awkward, rewrite it. Natural flow hides the encoding better.
- Use a thesaurus. Need a 6-letter word for "big"? Try "massive" or "mighty".
- Consider word length tools. Let our tools verify your pattern before publishing.
- Test with fresh eyes. Wait a day, then try to solve your own puzzle without notes.