🪜 Word Ladder
Turn the start word into the end word by changing one letter at a time — every step in between has to be a real word too.
How to Play Word Ladder
Goal: get from the start word to the target word, changing exactly one letter per step.
Controls: type your next word and click Add Step. It must be the same length, a real word, and differ from your last word by exactly one letter.
Tips:
- Try working backward from the target sometimes — it can reveal a shorter path than working forward alone.
- Changing a vowel is often the easiest first move, since it usually opens up the most possible next words.
- The "par" number shown is the shortest known solution — beating it isn't required, just a nice bonus.
- If you get stuck, try changing a different letter position than you have been — one position might be a dead end while another opens the ladder right up.
More Puzzles
- 🔤 Word Quest — Crack the hidden word in 6 tries.
- 🔀 Anagram Blitz — Unscramble a themed word before you run out of hints.
- 🔑 Cryptogram — Every letter stands for another. Decode the line.