Wordle Strategy

1. Open with information, not hope

Your first guess should test common letters. You are not trying to win in one; you are trying to shrink the list of possible answers as much as possible. A word with five different common letters and two or three vowels does this well. See our best starting words analysis for the openers that score highest.

2. Use every clue

Gray letters are as useful as green ones. Once a letter is gray, stop guessing it — every future guess that contains it is wasting a slot. Yellow letters tell you a letter exists but must move, so try it in a different position next time rather than repeating the same spot.

3. Track positions, not just letters

Knowing that a word contains an A is only half the information; knowing which positions the A cannot be in is just as valuable. Strong players keep a mental (or written) grid of confirmed positions, possible positions and ruled-out positions.

4. Watch for repeated letters

If a yellow letter never turns green when you move it, the word may contain it twice. Repeated letters are one of the most common reasons players run out of guesses. When you are down to a few candidates and none seem to fit, try a word with a double letter.

5. Know when to spend a guess on information

Late in a game with many possibilities left, a "burn" guess that tests several new letters can be better than guessing a possible answer. If you have five or six candidates and only two guesses left, a word that splits those candidates into small groups can guarantee a solve. Our solver shows both the possible answers and the best next guesses.

6. Manage your final guesses

With two guesses left and several candidates, do not simply guess them in order. Choose a word that distinguishes between them. If you can find a guess that gives a different colour pattern for each remaining candidate, you have effectively solved the puzzle one guess early.

7. Keep a consistent process

Track which letters are excluded, which are confirmed, and which positions are ruled out. Consistency makes the second and third guesses faster and helps you notice patterns over time. The Wordle solver does this filtering for you when you are stuck.

Common mistakes

• Reusing gray letters. Once a letter is out, it is out.
• Ignoring repeats. Many losses come from a double letter the player never considered.
• Guessing possible answers too early. With many candidates left, information is worth more than a lucky guess.
• Changing your opener every day. You lose the ability to compare games and build instincts.

Frequently asked questions

What is the single most important Wordle skill?

Using feedback efficiently — turning each guess into as much new information as possible.

Is it ever right to guess a word that cannot be the answer?

Yes, when you are low on guesses and a "burn" guess can split the remaining candidates.

How do I get better quickly?

Use a strong, consistent opener, review your losses for repeated-letter mistakes, and practise with the solver.