Understanding the Basics
Wordle is a daily word puzzle game where you have six attempts to guess a five-letter word. After each guess, the game provides feedback through colored tiles:
- Green: The letter is correct and in the right position
- Yellow: The letter is in the word but in the wrong position
- Gray: The letter is not in the word at all
The goal is to use this feedback strategically to narrow down possibilities and find the correct word within six guesses.
Best Starting Words for Wordle
Your first guess is crucial. The best starting words contain common vowels and frequently used consonants to maximize information gain.
- ADIEU - Contains 4 vowels
- AUDIO - All vowels covered
- STARE - Common consonants + vowels
- CRANE - Balanced letter frequency
- SLATE - High-frequency letters
- ROAST - Common letter combinations
These words are effective because they test the most common letters in English:
- Vowels: E, A, O, I, U
- Consonants: R, S, T, L, N
By testing these letters first, you gain maximum information to guide your subsequent guesses.
Proven Winning Strategies
Focus on eliminating as many letters as possible in your first 2-3 guesses, even if you're not trying to guess the word yet.
Example: Start with STARE, then use MOUND or CLIPY to test completely different letters. This gives you information about 10 different letters before you start making serious guesses.
Pay attention to common letter patterns and word endings in English:
- Common endings: -ER, -ED, -ING, -LY, -EST
- Common beginnings: UN-, RE-, IN-, DE-
- Letter pairs: TH, CH, SH, QU, PH
When you get yellow letters, think about where they commonly appear:
- S often appears at the start or end of words
- E is most common in the middle or end positions
- Consonant clusters (ST, TR, CR) usually appear at the beginning
Advanced Techniques
Even if you're not playing in Hard Mode, adopt its mindset: always use revealed letters in subsequent guesses. This forces you to think more strategically and often leads to faster solves.
Understanding letter frequency in five-letter words helps you make better guesses:
Most Common Letters:
E, A, R, O, T, L, I, S, N, C
Least Common Letters:
Q, J, X, Z
Some players use two predetermined words to test 10 different common letters before making educated guesses:
Example combinations:
- STARE + MOUND (tests 10 different letters)
- AUDIO + STERN (covers all vowels + common consonants)
- CRANE + SPLIT (balanced coverage)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Repeating Eliminated Letters
Once a letter turns gray, don't use it again. Keep track of eliminated letters mentally or write them down.
2. Ignoring Yellow Letter Positions
If a letter is yellow, it means it's in the word but NOT in that position. Don't put it in the same spot again.
3. Random Guessing Under Pressure
When you're down to your last guess, take your time. Think through all possibilities systematically rather than panicking.
4. Not Considering Plural Forms
Many Wordle answers are plural forms ending in S. If you have four letters figured out, consider adding S at the end.
5. Forgetting About Double Letters
Words can have repeated letters (SPEED, ABBEY, LLAMA). Don't rule out this possibility, especially if you're stuck.
Expert Tips to Improve Your Game
Build Your Vocabulary
The more five-letter words you know, the better you'll be at Wordle. Read regularly and pay attention to word patterns.
Practice Daily
Consistency is key. Playing every day helps you recognize patterns and develop intuition for word structures.
Use Process of Elimination
Keep a mental (or physical) list of eliminated letters. This prevents wasted guesses and helps you focus on viable options.
Think About Word Families
If you know some letters, think of word families: BRAKE, DRAKE, FLAKE, SHAKE all share the same pattern.
Don't Rush
There's no time limit. Take a moment to think through your options before each guess, especially on guesses 4-6.
Learn from Mistakes
After each game, reflect on what worked and what didn't. This helps you refine your strategy over time.
Ready to Put These Strategies into Practice?
Head back to the game and start applying these expert techniques to improve your Wordle win rate.
Play Wordle Now