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Word ladder paths
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How this solver works
Word Ladder finds transformation paths between two words by changing one letter at a time while keeping valid intermediate words.
Tips for better results
- Use start and end words with the same length.
- Short, common words usually yield faster and richer paths.
- If no path exists, try a nearby synonym as the target.
Worked example
From COLD to WARM, a valid chain is COLD → CORD → CARD → WARD → WARM.
Edge case: rare words can isolate nodes so no full ladder exists even though both endpoints are valid.
Common mistakes
- Using words of different lengths.
- Changing more than one letter per step when checking path validity.
FAQs
- Why is no ladder found for valid words?
- Not all valid words are connected by one-letter transitions in the dictionary graph.
- Is the shown ladder always the only one?
- No. The solver typically returns one shortest path, but alternatives may exist.