Handle: a word ladder to HAND
Turn a four-letter word into HAND, one letter at a time. Each step must make a real word. The finish is already on the board; finding a short route is up to you. Play today's Daily ladder or choose Unlimited for fresh starting words.
A small word puzzle for a short break, free on your phone or computer. No account or download needed.
How to play Handle
- Start with the word on the board. Your destination is always HAND.
- Change one letter. Keep the other three in the same positions. The result must be another real four-letter word.
- Press Enter. An accepted word joins your ladder. An invalid entry costs no move; check it and try again.
- Reach HAND. Finish with as few changes as you can. The starting word does not count as a move.
Use your computer keyboard or the on-screen keys. Backspace removes a typed letter. Undo removes your last accepted change, and Restart returns to the same starting word. Both let you explore without adding extra steps to your finished route.
Unlimited has a hint that marks a position you could change next. It leaves the letter and next word for you to work out. Hints remain noted on your result after Undo or Restart. Daily has no hints.
A word ladder example
COLD → CORD → CARD → HARD → HAND
Four changes connect these five words. First change L to R, then O to A, then C to H, and finally R to N. Every neighbouring pair differs in one position. This is a practice example; a puzzle can have several valid routes.
Find a shorter way
- Think from both ends. BAND, LAND and HARD are each one change from HAND. Can you connect your starting word to one of them?
- Look beyond the next step. A familiar word with several neighbours can give you more options.
- Allow a detour. A useful move does not always make your word look more like HAND. Undo lets you explore another direction.
Your result compares your changes with par, the shortest route using the game's familiar words. The accepted dictionary is broader, so a valid shorter route counts too.
Daily and Unlimited
Daily gives everyone the same starting word and refreshes at local midnight. Your unfinished Daily ladder and completed result stay in this browser when storage is available.
Unlimited deals fresh starting words whenever you want to keep playing. Switching modes preserves an unfinished run while the page stays open; reloading Unlimited starts fresh. Share a challenge to give a friend the same starting word and compare your routes.
Handle questions
What is today's Handle answer?
The finish is always HAND. The daily puzzle is finding a chain of real words from today's start. There may be more than one correct route.
Why won't Handle accept my word?
Use exactly four letters and change only one position from your current word. The word must also be in the game's English dictionary. Some names, abbreviations and spellings accepted elsewhere may not be included. An invalid word does not add a move.
Can I rearrange the letters?
No. Each letter keeps its position unless you replace it. You cannot add, remove or swap letters.
Can I play past puzzles?
Open Past puzzles to replay an earlier Daily ladder. Archive replays do not replace today's saved progress or result. Browser-local records do not transfer when you change browsers or clear site data.
More wordplay
Try Word Scramble for a different way to play with letters.