Word Ladder is also called Doublets, the name Lewis Carroll used when he shared it in 1879. Some people call it word golf.
The rules
- Start with the start word at the bottom of the ladder.
- Change exactly 1 letter at each step. The other letters stay in their places.
- The word keeps the same number of letters.
- Every step must be a real word from the puzzle's word list.
- You cannot use the same word twice.
- If a required word is shown, your ladder must pass through it.
- If a step limit is shown, your ladder must stay within it.
- Any ladder that follows these rules and reaches the target wins.
In the classic game, you try to find the shortest ladder. In Quirk, any ladder that follows the rules wins, unless the puzzle shows a step limit.
The words depend on the language of the app. Some languages, like Dutch, German, French and Spanish, have their own word lists. In other languages, the puzzle uses English words.
A worked example
The examples on this page use English words.
Lewis Carroll's own example turns HEAD into TAIL. Both words have 4 letters, and every letter has to change.
- Start with HEAD. Change D to L. That makes HEAL.
- Change H to T. That makes TEAL, a kind of duck and a blue-green color.
- Change A to L. That makes TELL.
- Change E to A. That makes TALL.
- Change the first L to I. That makes TAIL, the target.
The full ladder is HEAD, HEAL, TEAL, TELL, TALL, TAIL. Each word differs from the one before by exactly 1 letter in the same place.
Here is a second example that shows a dead end. The word list has only 7 words: CAT, COT, DOT, DOG, BAT, BOT and BAG. You go from CAT to DOG.
- Say you start with CAT, then BAT, then BAG.
- From BAG, the only word 1 letter away is BAT. You already used BAT, so you cannot add it again.
- BAG is a dead end. Take it back, so BAT is on top again.
- From BAT, change A to O. That makes BOT.
- Change B to D. That makes DOT.
- Change T to G. That makes DOG, the target.
A shorter way also works: CAT, COT, DOT, DOG. Both ladders win.
Beginner techniques
Work toward the target
Try a change that makes your word match one more letter of the target. CAT to COT is a good step toward DOG, because COT shares the O with DOG.
Work back from the target
Look at the target and find words 1 letter away from it. For WARM, that could be WARD. Then try to reach WARD from your side.
Connect a required word
If a required word is shown, split the puzzle in two. First find a way from the start to the required word. Then find a way from there to the target.
Go back from a dead end
If no new word is 1 letter away, you are stuck. Take back the top word and try another letter.
Sometimes go sideways
The straight path is not always open. A step that does not match the target yet can still open up a better route.
Common mistakes
- Changing 2 letters in one step.
- Moving letters around. DOG to GOD is not allowed, because letters must stay in their places.
- Adding or removing a letter.
- Using a word that is not in the word list.
- Using the same word twice.
- Forgetting to pass through the required word.
Questions
Is Word Ladder the same as Doublets?
Yes. Lewis Carroll called it Doublets when he shared it in 1879. Word ladder is the name most people use today.
Do I have to find the shortest ladder?
No. Any ladder that follows the rules wins. If the puzzle shows a step limit, your ladder must stay within it.
Which words can I use?
Only words from the puzzle's word list. Tap Words to see every word with its meaning.
Which language are the words in?
That depends on the language of the app. Dutch, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, Turkish and Indonesian have their own words. Other languages use English words.
How long are the words?
The words are short. In English, they have 3 or 4 letters.
Can I use a word twice?
No. Each word can appear only once in your ladder.
Related puzzles
Playing it in Quirk
Tap a letter on the top step, pick a new letter below, then tap Add. Back takes off the top word. To climb on from an earlier word, tap that step, then Continue.
Words shows every word with its meaning. You can note words there as reminders. Notes never change your answer.
