A start word and target word are shown. Type any valid word that differs from the current word by exactly one letter. Each accepted word becomes your new current word. Continue until you reach the target. Use the Hint button to reveal the next step in the optimal solution. Use Undo to go back one step.
Zen Word Ladder is based on a puzzle invented by Lewis Carroll in 1877. The challenge: transform one word into another by changing exactly one letter at a time, with each intermediate step also being a valid word. The fewer steps you take, the higher your score.
Word Ladder (classic), Number Ladder (transform number words like ZERO to NINE), Animal Ladder (BEAR to LION), Emoji Ladder (visual concept chains), Reverse Ladder (solve end-to-start), and Branching Ladder (choose your path from four options each step).