The ladders are hidden so you can try the puzzle first.Reveal solutionsHide solutions
S
C
A
L
E
S
T
A
L
E
S
T
A
L
L
S
H
A
L
L
S
H
E
L
L
S
H
E
L
F
S
C
A
L
E
S
C
A
L
L
S
H
A
L
L
S
H
E
L
L
S
H
E
L
F
Par uses everyday words only; the shortest route allows obscure ones. Tap a word for its meaning.
Fastest players
- 1Dave20.0s5 steps
- 2Jord41121.6s4 steps
- 3JanE28.1s4 steps
- 4Tanya28.2s4 steps
- 5PeteS32.0s4 steps
- 6Jesique34.1s4 steps
- 7Lisa36.1s4 steps
- 8Manda38.2s5 steps
- 9CB41.6s4 steps
- 10Dawn53.5s4 steps
Fastest guest: 22.6s in 4 steps (unranked)
17 played · 15 finished · ⚔️ solved in hard mode
Enjoying Break 5? Join free and race your friends to the top 10 🏆
About this ladder
- The detour
- SCALE and SHELF differ in only 3 places, but par is 5. That is 2 moves that do not bring you directly closer to the target, which is where this one catches people out.
- The wide rung
- The par route passes through STALE, where 16 different single-letter changes all make real words - more than at any other rung on this ladder. Most of them lead nowhere useful.
- The shortcut
- Par is 5 using everyday words, but there is a 4-move route if you allow obscure ones. It goes through SCALL, which sits outside the everyday word list par is measured against.
- The verdict
- We rate this one tricky, which is why par time was as generous as 1:25: the route branches, doubles back, or leans on a word most people would not reach for first.