Hype Ladder
A classic word ladder with a neon shine. Turn the start word into the goal by changing a single letter at a time — every rung has to be a real word. Solve it in par for a bonus.
Word Ladder: how to play, rules & tips
Play Word Ladder free online: turn the start word into the goal word by changing one letter at a time, with every rung a real word. Hint, Undo and Reset are always free.
How to play Word Ladder
Each ladder gives you a start word and a target word of the same length, such as COLD to WARM. Tap a letter tile to select it, then tap a letter on the pad to change it.
Each step may change exactly one letter, and the new word must be on that ladder's word list. For example, COLD can become CORD, then CARD, then WARD, then WARM. Your chain of words appears below the board as you climb.
Reach the target word to clear the ladder. Then tap Next ladder to move on, or Replay to try for a shorter route.
Par, hints and puzzles
Every ladder has a par: the fewest steps it can be solved in. Clearing a ladder pays Neons, and solving it in par or fewer steps adds a bonus. Each ladder pays once; replays are for practice.
There are nine ladders, using 3-, 4- and 5-letter words, and you can pick any of them from the selector. Every ladder is checked to be solvable.
Hint shows the next word on a shortest route from where you are now. Undo takes back your last step, and Reset returns you to the start word.
Word Ladder tips
- Compare the start and target letter by letter. Letters that already match may never need to change.
- Change vowels early. Swapping the vowel often opens up many more words.
- Work backward too. Ask which words are one letter away from the target.
- If you hit a dead end, undo a step or two instead of resetting the whole ladder.
- Aim for par. Count the letters that differ: you need at least that many steps.
Frequently asked questions
Is Word Ladder free?
Yes. HypeGameRoom is free: no sign-up, no download and nothing to buy to play. Arcade games reward Neons, a play-only currency that can never be cashed out.
What is a word ladder?
A puzzle where you change one letter at a time to turn one word into another, and every step in between must be a real word.
What does par mean?
Par is the fewest steps the ladder can be solved in. Matching it earns a bonus.
What if I get stuck?
Tap Hint to see the next word on a shortest route, or use Undo and Reset. All three are free.