Target reached!
You completed this level. Your next ladder is ready.
Start over from Level 1?
Your current level, progress and level streak will be lost. You will return to Level 1.
A clue for your next move
Two letters of the correct next word are revealed, including the new letter you need to change to. The number of letters to change is also shown.
Play Word Ladder online and turn one word into another by changing a single letter at each step. This free word game challenges you to connect a starting word to a target through a chain of valid words. Every move matters: choose a word that follows the rules and leaves a practical route to the destination.
Complete the levels, solve four-letter and five-letter puzzles, and use your two hints when a connection is difficult to spot. The aim is not to find any word that fits, but to build a complete ladder within the required number of moves.
How to Play Word Ladder
- Check the two words. Read the starting word and the target you must reach.
- Change one letter. Enter a new word that differs from the previous word in exactly one position.
- Submit each move. The game checks whether your entry is valid before you continue to the next step.
- Complete the ladder. Reach the target using the required sequence of words and moves.
- Continue to the next level. Each successful round takes you further through the game.
Example: COLD to WARM
COLD → CORD → WORD → WARD → WARM
Each word changes just one letter from the previous word. This illustrates how a ladder connects two different words through valid intermediate steps.
Word Ladder Rules and Level Progression
A valid ladder follows strict letter-change rules. Each word must be the same length as the puzzle words, differ from the previous entry by exactly one letter, and be recognised by the game’s dictionary. You cannot skip a step or change several letters at once.
The game becomes more challenging as you progress through the levels, with longer word ladders and more moves to consider. Planning ahead becomes increasingly important because a valid intermediate word may not always provide the best route to the target.
How to Solve Difficult Word Ladders
The easiest way to get stuck is to choose a word simply because it differs by one letter. A better move also helps connect the current word to the target.
- Work backwards: Think of words that differ from the target by one letter, then look for a connection to your current word.
- Test different positions: Try changing the first, middle or final letter instead of repeatedly altering the same position.
- Watch your remaining moves: Prefer words that bring you closer to the target rather than taking you into an unrelated word pattern.
- Use hints strategically: When you cannot identify a useful next word, use a hint to reveal letters of the correct answer.
For example, if your current word is CORD and the target is WARM, changing C to W gives WORD. That move preserves three letters and creates a valid step toward the target. Thinking about the letters shared with your destination can help you find similar connections in other puzzles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Word Ladder game?
It is a word puzzle in which you transform a starting word into a target by changing exactly one letter at each step. Every intermediate entry must be a valid word.
Can I change more than one letter in a move?
No. Each new word must differ from the previous word by exactly one letter. Changing two or more letters does not follow the Word Ladder rules.
How do hints work?
You receive two hints per round. A hint reveals two letters of the correct next word and indicates how many letters need to change.
Why is my word rejected?
Your entry may change too many letters, differ in length from the puzzle words, or be absent from the game’s dictionary. Check the spelling and compare it with your previous word.
Does Word Ladder become harder as I advance?
Yes. Each new level brings a greater challenge, requiring you to think carefully about your word choices and plan your moves to find a valid path from the starting word to the target.
Start with the given word, consider how it can connect to the target, and make every change count. Play Word Ladder online to test your vocabulary, uncover word connections and see how efficiently you can complete each level.