Word Ladder: One Letter at a Time
A word ladder turns vocabulary into a puzzle: each rung changes a single letter, and the ladder is finished when you reach the target word.
What is the Word Ladder Game?
Enter a start word, a target word, and your next step word. A step is valid only if it differs from the previous word by exactly one letter. The tool checks your step and tells you how many letters still differ from the target, so you can plan the climb.
How to use it
- Type your start word.
- Type your next step word.
- Type the target word and click Check Step.
Worked example
From COLD, the step CORD changes exactly one letter, so it is valid, and CORD still differs from WARM in 3 letters.
What counts as a valid step?
A step that changes exactly one letter of the previous word. Changing two or more letters, or the word length, is not allowed.
Frequently asked questions
Do step words have to be real words?
In a proper game, yes — each rung should be a real word, even though this tool checks the letter rule only.
How do I know if I am getting closer?
The tool counts how many letters still differ from the target, so a falling count means progress.