The complete rule
Keep the word length and letter positions fixed. Each new rung must be a recognised word and must differ from the rung immediately above it in exactly one position. Letters cannot be added, removed or rearranged. Reach the displayed target through any valid chain accepted by the game.
Build a cleaner ladder
Work from both ends. A useful middle word can connect the start and target.
Change useful positions. Vowels often unlock several familiar neighbours.
Keep it valid. Every rung must be a real word and differ by one letter.
A small worked example
A valid path from COLD to WARM could begin COLD → CORD → CARD → WARD → WARM. Each arrow changes one position only. COLD → CARD would not be a valid single rung because both the second and third letters change.
How to check every rung
Write the new word directly under the previous word and compare the letters position by position. Exactly one position may change; adding, removing or rearranging letters breaks the ladder. The game checks entries, but the comparison helps you spot the reason before submitting.
If a branch stalls, keep the last word with several possible neighbours and try a separate branch. A move does not need to resemble the target immediately: its purpose may be to reach a more flexible family of words.
Accessibility and fair use
The path is presented as text as well as a visual stack, so players do not need to distinguish moves by colour alone. Use the labelled entry field and submit control; validation explains whether a rung changes the wrong number of letters or is not in the supported list. The list is a practical game list, not an official ruling for every external word game.
What to do after solving
Read the finished path from top to bottom and name the changed position at each step. Then try to replace two rungs with one valid bridge. A shorter route is an optional extra, not the only correct outcome; a complete valid chain is the first goal.
Warm up with the Word Finder, read the step-by-step Word Ladder guide, browse the recent archive, or print a mixed challenge from the weekly puzzle pack.