Word Ladder

Change one letter at a time to reach the target word.

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How to play the word ladder game

A word ladder is a simple puzzle with one rule: change one letter at a time to get from the start word to the target word. Every step has to be a real word.

For example, to go from COLD to WARM:

COLD โ†’ CORD โ†’ CARD โ†’ WARD โ†’ WARM

That's four steps. Each word differs from the one before by exactly one letter.

  1. Look at the start and target words. Both have 4 letters.
  2. Change one letter. Type or tap a new word that is one letter different.
  3. Keep going until you reach the target.
  4. Check your steps. Try to reach it in the fewest steps possible.

Daily puzzle and minimum steps

There's a new puzzle every day. Each one has a shortest path, and the game shows you how many steps that takes. Finishing in the minimum is the goal, but any solution counts as a win. If you take more steps than needed, you can retry and look for a shorter route.

The word list contains about 1,500 common 4-letter English words that teens know. It leaves out proper nouns, slang that isn't widely known and anything rude. We also check that every puzzle has a solution before it goes live.

Tips for solving word ladders

  • Work from both ends. Think about what words lead into the target, not only out of the start.
  • Change vowels first. Swapping a vowel often opens up a different word family. CAT to COT to COG is a classic.
  • Use common endings. Words ending in -ake, -ine, -ore and -ell have lots of neighbours, so they make good bridges.
  • Don't get stuck on one path. If you hit a dead end, go back a step. A different letter change might open a better route.
  • Step away. A short break often shows you the move you missed.

English only, still playable

This game uses English words, so the page is marked "English only" in other languages. You can still play if you know the words. It's even a fun way to practise English spelling and vocabulary.

Play with friends

Everyone gets the same daily puzzle, so you can compare how many steps it took. Try these:

  • Step race: see who finishes in fewer steps.
  • No hints: agree not to search for help.
  • Teach each other: if someone's stuck, give a one-word hint, not the answer.

More fun

Want to know how well your friends know you? Make your own quiz and send it. Looking for something else to play? Visit the games page.

FAQ

Is the word ladder game free?

Yes. It's free to play online and you don't need to sign up.

What counts as a valid word?

Any word in our list of about 1,500 common 4-letter English words. If a word you know is missing, try a more common one.

How often is there a new puzzle?

Every day. Everyone gets the same puzzle.

What is the minimum number of steps?

It's the shortest chain of one-letter changes from the start word to the target. The game tells you what it is so you know how well you did.

Can I change more than one letter at once?

No. Each step must change exactly one letter, and the new word must be real. The letters stay in the same positions.

Can I play in other languages?

Not yet. The game is English only, but the page works in other site languages.

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