Rules for these puzzles
Keep every word four letters long. Change exactly one letter per move without rearranging the other letters, and make every rung a familiar English word. The move count below is the number of changes, not the number of displayed words.
Six 4-letter word ladder puzzles
Write down a route before checking the hints and answers.
- COLD → WARM — aim for 4 moves.
- LEAD → GOLD — aim for 3 moves.
- MIND → BODY — aim for 4 moves.
- GAME → CODE — aim for 4 moves.
- HEAD → TAIL — aim for 5 moves.
- FISH → BIRD — challenge ladder; the route below uses 10 moves.
Progressive hints
- COLD → WARM: begin with CORD.
- LEAD → GOLD: change the vowel first and pass through a word ending in OAD.
- MIND → BODY: begin with BIND and approach BODY through BONY.
- GAME → CODE: the middle of the route uses CANE and CONE.
- HEAD → TAIL: begin with HEAL and use two words beginning with T.
- FISH → BIRD: reach DISH first, then work toward words beginning with B.
Verified answers
- COLD → CORD → CARD → WARD → WARM
- LEAD → LOAD → GOAD → GOLD
- MIND → BIND → BOND → BONY → BODY
- GAME → CAME → CANE → CONE → CODE
- HEAD → HEAL → TEAL → TELL → TALL → TAIL
- FISH → DISH → DASH → BASH → BATH → BATS → BITS → BIDS → BINS → BIND → BIRD
Each adjacent pair has the same length and differs in exactly one position. Other valid routes may exist, depending on the puzzle's dictionary.
Scoring idea
A simple scoring system keeps practice focused: award 3 points for matching the listed move count, 2 points for a valid route within two extra moves, and 1 point for any legal completion. Do not penalise a longer route if it uses only valid transitions—the first goal is to connect the words.
More word ladder practice
Learn the full method in How to Solve Word Ladders, see each move explained in the worked examples, or try the Daily Word Ladder. You can also check alternative paths with the Word Ladder Solver.