How do you solve a laddergram?

To solve a laddergram, change one letter at a time to transform the starting word into the target word. Each intermediate word must be valid. For example: CATS → COTS → DOTS → DOGS.

Who invented word ladders?

Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland, invented word ladders in 1877. He originally called them 'Doublets' and published them in Vanity Fair magazine.

What is a Laddergram? How to Solve Word Ladders

What is a Laddergram?

A laddergram (also known as a word ladder or doublets) is a word puzzle invented by Lewis Carroll in 1877. The goal is to transform one word into another by changing only one letter at a time, with each intermediate step being a valid English word.

Example: CATS → DOGS

1 CATS (starting word)

2 COTS (changed A to O)

3 DOTS (changed C to D)

4 DOGS (changed T to G - target reached!)

How Our Solver Works

The Laddergram Solver uses an advanced breadth-first search (BFS) algorithm to find the shortest possible path between any two words. Here's what makes it powerful:

Comprehensive Dictionary: Access to over 170,000 English words ensures we can find paths for even obscure words
Optimal Solutions: Our BFS algorithm guarantees the shortest possible word ladder between your chosen words
Lightning Fast: Most solutions are found in under a second, even for complex transformations
User-Friendly Interface: Clear visualization shows each step of the transformation with highlighted letter changes
Privacy-First: All processing happens in your browser - we never store or transmit your puzzle inputs

Perfect For:

📚 Word Puzzle Enthusiasts

Solve daily laddergram challenges from newspapers and puzzle books instantly

🎮 Game Players

Get hints or verify your solutions for word ladder games and apps

👨‍🏫 Educators

Create engaging vocabulary exercises and demonstrate word relationships

🧠 Brain Training

Challenge yourself with increasingly difficult word transformations

Tips for Using the Solver

Both words must be the same length (e.g., both 4-letter words)
Words are case-insensitive - type in uppercase or lowercase
If no solution exists, try words with more common letters
Use the example buttons to see how the solver works
Click "Copy Path" to share your word ladder with friends

The History of Word Ladders

Lewis Carroll, author of "Alice in Wonderland," invented this puzzle in 1877 for two young girls. He originally called them "Doublets" and published them in Vanity Fair magazine. The puzzle became so popular that Carroll published a book of them in 1879.

Today, word ladders remain a popular puzzle format, appearing in newspapers, puzzle books, and mobile games worldwide. They're also used in education to help students understand word patterns and improve vocabulary.

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