Turn the start word into the end word by changing one letter at a time. Every step must be a real dictionary word of the same length.

How many steps do I get?

As many as you need — there is no limit. The optional challenge is to match "par", the shortest possible chain.

When does a new puzzle appear?

At midnight UTC. Everyone in the world plays the same start/end pair for that UTC day, which is why the date is shown in UTC.

What happens if I type an invalid word?

You get a plain-English reason (wrong length, more than one letter changed, or not a word) and can simply try again. There is no penalty.

Does sharing my result spoil the answer?

No. The share text contains only a chain of links and your step count — never the words themselves.

How to Play StepWord — Word Ladder Rules & Examples

You're given a start word and an end word of the same length. Change ONE letter at a time — every step must be a real word — until you reach the end word. Most days solve in 3–5 steps.

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The rules

Read the start word (teal) and the end word (bronze) at the top.
Type a word that changes exactly one letter of the current word, then press Enter.
Each valid step locks a new link onto your chain; the changed letter is underlined.
Reach the end word to win. Fewer steps is better — match "par" for an optimal solve.
Everyone worldwide gets the same start/end pair each day (UTC).

What makes a step valid

Same lengthYour next word must be exactly as long as the current word — you never add or drop a letter.

Change one letterExactly one position changes each step. The letter that changed is shown with a bronze underline.

Must be a real wordThe new word has to be in the dictionary. If it is not, you get a plain-English reason and can try again — no penalty.

There are no colored feedback tiles. The only signal is whether your step is a valid one-letter change to a real word — and the single letter that changed is shown with a bronze underline.

A worked example

Turning COLD into WARM, one letter at a time:

Start. Start word — the given.
Step 1. Change the L to R. CORD is a real four-letter word and only one letter moved.
Step 2. Change the O to A. CARD keeps the chain valid and heads toward WARM.
Step 3. Change the C to W, setting up the W that WARM needs.
Step 4. Change the D to M to finish: COLD → WARM in four steps (par).

FAQ

What is the goal?: Turn the start word into the end word by changing one letter at a time. Every step must be a real dictionary word of the same length.
How many steps do I get?: As many as you need — there is no limit. The optional challenge is to match "par", the shortest possible chain.
When does a new puzzle appear?: At midnight UTC. Everyone in the world plays the same start/end pair for that UTC day, which is why the date is shown in UTC.
What happens if I type an invalid word?: You get a plain-English reason (wrong length, more than one letter changed, or not a word) and can simply try again. There is no penalty.
Does sharing my result spoil the answer?: No. The share text contains only a chain of links and your step count — never the words themselves.

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