Word Ladder
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Build One Safe Step at a Time
Change exactly one letter on each rung and keep every intermediate word valid. Letters that match the target help show which positions are already working.
Stay Close to Par
Par is the shortest known path from the start word to the target. Extra rungs and hints reduce the score, but Undo lets you leave a dead end without restarting the puzzle.
Let Hints Escalate Gradually
The first hint identifies a letter position. Further hints reveal the replacement letter and then a complete next word, so you can stop as soon as you have enough information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play the Word Ladder game?
You get a start word and a target word, and you change one letter at a time to climb from one to the other. Every rung of the ladder has to be a real word. Letters that already match the target light up, and the planner shows how many steps remain on the shortest route.
Can I change the difficulty of the puzzles?
Yes - Easy, Medium, or Hard. The setting tweaks how long the shortest route between the two words is, so you can scale the challenge up or down depending on your mood.
How does the scoring system work?
Each puzzle has a set shortest path, so you're scored against it: match it and you get full points, take detours and each extra step costs 20, use a hint and that's 15 off. Your best runs are saved so you can try to beat them.
What if I get stuck on a word chain?
That's what hints are for. They escalate slowly: first which letter position to change, then the letter itself, and only if you keep asking, a full word suggestion. You can also undo a wrong step, or end the game and watch the whole path play out.
Can I challenge a friend to the same puzzle?
Sure - after a round, hit Challenge a Friend and send the link to anyone. They'll get the same ladder, and you can see who finds the shorter path and ends up with the better score.