How to play
- Type any five-letter word and press Enter.
- Each tile changes color:
- Green: the letter is in the word and in the right spot.
- Yellow: the letter is in the word, but in a different spot.
- Gray: the letter is not in the word.
- Use the colors to narrow it down. You have six guesses.
The keyboard keeps score for you. Letters you have ruled out turn gray, so you never waste a guess on them by accident.
A quick example
Say your first guess is TILES (an example only: plurals are never daily answers).
- T turns gray: there is no T in the word.
- I turns yellow: there is an I, but not in the second spot.
- L, E and S turn gray.
Your next guess should include an I somewhere other than spot two, and avoid T, L, E and S. One guess has already ruled out five letters.
Tips that actually help
Start with common letters. A first guess with several vowels and letters like R, N and T tells you more than a guess full of rare letters. Our starting words guide goes deeper.
Do not repeat gray letters. It sounds obvious, and it is the most common way to lose a game on the last guess.
Move yellow letters. A yellow letter is information about where the letter is not. Put it in a new spot next time.
Watch for double letters. If you are stuck with few letters left, the answer may use one of your found letters twice.
Think before the last guess. When several words fit, pick the guess that could rule out the most options, even if it cannot be the answer itself.
Daily or unlimited
The Daily tab is the puzzle everyone plays today. It counts toward your streak and your stats, and your share result carries the puzzle number so friends can compare.
The Unlimited tab gives you a new word every time you finish. It is for practice, for long train rides and for the days one puzzle is not enough. Unlimited games never change your streak and never use an upcoming daily word, so practice cannot spoil tomorrow.
Want a harder game?
- 6 letters: one more letter, the same six guesses.
- 32 boards: thirty-two words at once with one shared keyboard.
- Guess the NFL player: same idea, but with teams and positions instead of
letters.