Word Ladder
Change one letter at a time to reach the target word.
How to play Word Ladder
Goal: Climb from the start word to the target word in as few steps as possible.
- 1Each step changes exactly one letter of the previous word.
- 2Every step must be a real four-letter word.
- 3Reach the target word to win. Par is the shortest possible number of steps.
- 4Use Hint to reveal the next step, Undo to go back, or Give up to see a shortest route.
On a computer
Type the next word and press Enter
On a phone
Type the next word with your keyboard and tap Go
Play Word Ladder free online. Turn one four-letter word into another by changing a single letter at a time, with every step a real word.
About Word Ladder
Word Ladder asks you to turn one four letter word into another by changing a single letter at a time. Every step must be a real word. For example, COLD can become WARM through CORD, CARD, WARD and WARM.
The puzzle is often credited to the author Lewis Carroll, who published word ladders in the 1870s. It has remained a favorite brain teaser. Our free version picks start and target words three to six steps apart, shows the par (the shortest possible path), and offers undo, a hint and a give up option that shows a solution.
Word Ladder is quiet and thoughtful, a nice puzzle for a coffee break. It works on phones and computers.
Word ladders are a great way to think flexibly about spelling, because the shortest path often goes through words you would not expect. Some puzzles need you to move away from the target for a step before coming back. Arcade Pantry is free to play with no sign up and no download. Your best results are saved only in your own browser.
Word Ladder tips and strategy
- Compare the start and target words. Letters they share in the same position may never need to change.
- Change the letter that gets you closest to the target, but stay flexible if you hit a dead end.
- Vowels are often the easiest letters to swap, so try them when you are stuck.
- Work backwards from the target in your head. Think of words one step away from it.
- Use Undo freely. Exploring a path and backing out is part of the puzzle.
- A hint shows the next word on a shortest path from where you are now.
Word Ladder FAQ
Who invented the word ladder?
The puzzle is widely credited to Lewis Carroll, who published it in the 1870s under a different name.
What does par mean?
Par is the fewest steps needed to reach the target word. Matching par is a perfect solve.
Do the in-between words have to be real?
Yes. Every step must be a real word in our dictionary and differ by exactly one letter.
What if I get stuck?
Use Undo to back up, ask for a hint, or give up to see a solution.
Is Word Ladder free?
Yes. Play unlimited puzzles free in your browser.