Weaver Rules
A word ladder puzzle where players transform one word into another by changing one letter at a time.
Also known as: Word ladder daily
Weaver is elegant because the rule is tiny but the route can be surprisingly twisty. You are not guessing a hidden answer; you already know the endpoints. The challenge is finding legal stepping stones through the dictionary.
A good ladder often changes the hardest letter first, then uses common word families to move toward the target. If you get stuck, work backward from the target and look for a bridge word.
Quick answer
In Weaver, every move must be a real word and must differ from the previous word by one letter. Plan from both the start and target so the ladder meets in the middle.
Puzzle facts
| format | Daily word ladder puzzle |
|---|---|
| players | Solo |
| time | 3-12 minutes |
| difficulty | Medium |
What you need
- A start word and target word.
- A valid word list enforced by the puzzle.
Setup
- Compare the start and target letters.
- Change one position to create a valid intermediate word.
- Repeat until the current word becomes the target.
Objective
Reach the target word from the start word using a chain of valid words, with each step changing exactly one letter.
Rules
- Each step must be a valid word.
- Only one letter may change per move.
- Word length stays the same throughout the ladder.
- The target word completes the puzzle.
Scoring and results
- Many versions track number of moves.
- A shorter ladder is generally better.
- Some daily formats also track streaks.
Examples
Original ladder
A safe teaching ladder from `COLD` to `WARM` could begin `COLD` -> `CORD` -> `WORD` if the next steps stay valid and one-letter-only.
Bridge thinking
If start and target share no obvious letters, aim for a common middle pattern such as `-ARE` or `-OUND`.
Strategy tips
- Work backward from the target when the forward path stalls.
- Change vowels early because they open many word families.
- Avoid rare words unless the puzzle word list clearly accepts them.
- Write candidate neighbors before committing to a long detour.
Common mistakes
- Changing two letters in one step.
- Using a proper noun or abbreviation.
- Getting trapped in a word family that does not move toward the target.
History and background
Word ladders date back to classic recreational wordplay and remain popular because they are easy to explain without losing depth. Daily web versions package that old idea into a compact streak puzzle.
The examples here are original educational ladders, not copied daily solutions.
Variations
- Timed word ladders.
- Minimum-move ladder challenges.
- Team ladder races.
Visual guide
Use this example to see how the puzzle works before you try the steps yourself.
FAQ
Can word length change in Weaver?
No. The usual ladder keeps the same length from start to target.
Is the shortest path required?
Usually you only need a valid path, though shorter paths are often celebrated.
Where to play Weaver
App and web picks- Word Cash: A Collection of Word PuzzlesMade by us
Sources
Rule references and official game pages where available. App recommendations are separate from sources.
- TODO official source
Add official source URL after verification.