Word Ladder
Turn the first word into the last by changing exactly one letter per step, with a real word at every rung. Beat par, the length of the shortest ladder, with as few hints as you can.
Your progress is saved in this browser.
How to play
- Start from the first word and reach the last word. Each step changes exactly one letter and must make a real four-letter word. You cannot rearrange, add or remove letters.
- Type a word and choose Add step, or press Enter. A word already on your ladder cannot be used again.
- Par is the number of steps in the shortest possible ladder. Your result shows your steps against par.
- Undo removes your last step. Hint shows a good next word without adding it, and hints used appear in your result.
- There is no timer. Your ladder and hints are saved in this browser when storage is available. Switching puzzle asks for confirmation if you have unfinished progress.
- Reach the last word to complete the ladder. Show a shortest ladder reveals one best route, and Share result opens your device’s share sheet or copies the result and game link.
- The daily ladder gives everyone the same pair for the day. Your score is your final ladder’s steps plus one for every hint and one for every undo, and the lowest score ranks first on the day’s leaderboard. You get one scored ladder a day, and it locks when you reach the last word.
Questions
What counts as one step in Word Ladder?
One step changes exactly one letter in place and must form a word from the game’s word list. Anagrams, added letters and removed letters are not steps.
What is par?
Par is the length of the shortest ladder between the two words. You can finish in more steps, but your result shows how far above par you were.
Is there a timer or leaderboard?
There is no timer. Free play keeps progress in this browser and is not ranked, but the daily ladder has its own leaderboard where the lowest score wins.
How does the Daily Word Ladder score?
Your score is the steps in your final ladder plus one for every hint and one for every undo. A perfect run with no hints or undos scores par, and the lowest score ranks first.
More Word Ladder rules questions →
Strategy guide
Word Ladder Tips and Strategy — Reach the last word in as few steps as possible in Trindo’s untimed Word Ladder. Learn to work from both ends, change vowels and beat par.