Free word tool

Word ladder solver

Enter a start word and a goal word of the same length. The solver finds the shortest chain of real words, changing one letter at a time.

Try:

Classic ladders, solved

Shortest paths between famous pairs, found with the same search the tool uses.

CAT to DOG: 3 steps

CAT > COT > DOT > DOG

COLD to WARM: 4 steps

COLD > CORD > WORD > WARD > WARM

HEAD to TAIL: 5 steps

HEAD > HEAR > HEIR > HAIR > HAIL > TAIL

LOVE to HATE: 3 steps

LOVE > HOVE > HAVE > HATE

BLACK to WHITE: 8 steps

BLACK > SLACK > SHACK > SHARK > SHIRK > SHIRE > SHINE > WHINE > WHITE

STONE to MONEY: 11 steps

STONE > SHONE > SHINE > SHINS > CHINS > COINS > CORNS > CORES > BORES > BONES > BONEY > MONEY

HIT to RUN: 3 steps

HIT > HUT > RUT > RUN

SLOW to FAST: 6 steps

SLOW > SLOT > SOOT > LOOT > LOST > LAST > FAST

FISH to BIRD: 6 steps

FISH > WISH > WISE > WINE > WIND > BIND > BIRD

Tips for solving ladders yourself

  • Work from both ends. Write a few one-letter neighbors of the start and of the goal. The ladder often meets in the middle.
  • Change vowels last. Consonant swaps open up many words; vowel swaps are riskier early.
  • Keep letters that already match. If the goal has an R in the third spot, try to get an R there early.
  • Take a longer road if you are stuck. Any valid ladder counts; the shortest is just the best score.
TOWER game screenshot
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TOWER: daily word ladder

TOWER is a new word ladder every day. Build your tower floor by floor and try to match the par.

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Questions

What is a word ladder?

A word ladder, or doublet, is a puzzle where you change one letter at a time to turn one word into another, and every step must be a real word. COLD to WARM goes COLD, CORD, WORD, WARD, WARM.

Who invented word ladders?

Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice in Wonderland, invented them in 1877 and called them Doublets.

Is the solver path the only answer?

No. It finds one shortest ladder. Many pairs have several shortest ladders, and you can go longer if you like.

Why does it say my word is not in the list?

Our list holds English words of 3 to 12 letters and leaves out names. Words of 3 to 8 letters work in the solver. Try a more everyday spelling.

Can I play word ladders instead of solving them?

Yes. TOWER is our daily word ladder: one new start and goal word every day, with a par for the fewest steps.