Word Ladder is a classic word puzzle: turn the start word into the target word by changing a single letter at each step, and every step has to be a real word. Pick the letter to change, type its replacement and press Enter to climb a rung. Letters that already match the target are underlined in green to guide you. Each of the 24 ladders was generated so that a solution exists using familiar words, and the game knows the shortest one — match it for three stars, or ask for a hint that points along the shortest route. Ladders grow from three-letter words to five.
How to play Word Ladder
Goal: Reach the target word in as few steps as possible.
Keyboard & mouse
- Left/Right picks the letter to change; type the new letter and press Enter
- Backspace resets the row, Ctrl+Z (or ⌘Z) undoes a step, ? asks for a hint
- Escape to pause
Phone & tablet
- Tap the letter you want to change, tap its replacement on the keyboard, then Enter
- Undo and Hint buttons sit below the keyboard
Rules
- Each step changes exactly one letter and must make a real word.
- You cannot reuse a word already on your ladder.
- Green underlines show letters that already match the target.
- The shortest possible ladder is shown as “best”; reach the target in that many steps for three stars.
Tips and strategy
- Vowels are flexible: changing a vowel often opens new paths.
- Sometimes you must move a letter away from the target before you can get closer.
- Hints follow a shortest route from your current word.
