Word Ladder HintsPuzzle 1 · 2 moves
LAMP → LAKE
Keep LA- and change the end of the word one letter at a time.
- 1.LAMP
- 2.________
- 3.LAKE
Three routes, growing challenge
Four-letter word ladders to solve and print.
Begin with a two-move ladder, then try four and six moves. Write one word on each blank rung. All words must stay four letters long, and neighboring rungs must differ in exactly one position.
Free practice sheet
Three four-letter puzzles to solve.
Write a real word on each blank rung. Only one letter can change at a time.
Puzzle 2 · 4 moves
LAKE → HOME
Move through familiar four-letter words; the meanings need not connect.
- 1.LAKE
- 2.________
- 3.________
- 4.________
- 5.HOME
Puzzle 3 · 6 moves
PARK → LAKE
Try building forward from PARK and backward from LAKE.
- 1.PARK
- 2.________
- 3.________
- 4.________
- 5.________
- 6.________
- 7.LAKE
Answer key
These are verified routes in this site's pinned word list. Other word lists may allow a different route.
LAMP → LAKE
LAMP → LAME → LAKE
LAKE → HOME
LAKE → LAME → SAME → SOME → HOME
PARK → LAKE
PARK → BARK → BANK → BAND → LAND → LANE → LAKE
Check each rung, not just the last word
The answer key shows one shortest route in the site's pinned dictionary. Another legal route may exist. Compare adjacent words letter by letter; a change in meaning alone does not make a valid move.
For a shorter warm-up, use three-letter practice. For a student-created puzzle, print an empty ladder.