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Word Ladder game cover

Word Ladder

ORIGINAL

Word · Change one letter at a time to turn the start word into the target.

Play Word Ladder free online: turn the start word into the target word by changing one letter at a time, and every step has to be a real word, like COLD, CORD, CARD, WARD, WARM. Easy has 3-letter words, Medium 4 and Hard 5, with a new Daily ladder every day and races against a friend.

How to play

  1. You start at the bottom of the ladder with the start word. The target word waits at the top.
  2. Tap a letter in your word, then tap its new letter on the keyboard. If the new word is real, it becomes the next rung. You can also type a whole word and press Enter.
  3. Change exactly one letter per step and keep the letters in their places. A word that isn't in the list, or a change of more than one letter, is refused.
  4. Par is the fewest steps the ladder can be climbed in. Reach the target in par for three stars; Undo takes back a step at any time.
  5. Reveal a step plays the next rung for you but costs a star. The Daily is a 4-letter ladder, the same for everyone that day.

Tips to win

  • Look at the target first and count the letters that already match. Change the letters that differ, one by one.
  • Vowels are the hardest letters to swap. Plan the step that changes a vowel early, while you still have room to move.
  • If you're stuck, change a letter that's already right for one step: a detour of one rung often opens the way.
  • Watch Hops: he tells you whether a step brought you closer, kept you level or took you further away.

Guides

Questions

How does a word ladder work?

You change one letter at a time to get from the start word to the target word, and every word in between must be a real word. COLD to WARM goes COLD, CORD, CARD, WARD, WARM.

Who invented word ladders?

Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice in Wonderland, published them as "Doublets" in 1879. He turned HEAD into TAIL and APE into MAN.

Is Word Ladder free?

Yes. It's free in your browser on phone, tablet or computer, with no download and no account.

Can I play Word Ladder with a friend?

Yes. Choose Race, then Play a friend to send a link. You both get the same ladder, and the first to reach the target wins.