Stepwise

Create new words, one step at a time.

Words0
Best0
Score0
Current word
Letter bank
Use one of each per game

Achievements

Unlocked achievements stay with you from game to game in this browser.

Stats

How to play

Turn the current word into a new one by rearranging its letters or bringing in letters from the bank. Every step must make a real word of 3 or more letters that isn't already on your ladder.

Moves

  • Add. Tap a bank letter, then a gap in the word. A new letter refills the bank.
  • Remove. Tap a letter in the word, then Remove. It doesn't go back to the bank.
  • Shift. Tap a letter in the word, then the gap you want it to move to.
  • Swap. Tap a letter in the word, then another letter to trade places.
  • Replace. Tap a letter in the word, then a bank letter to put in its place (or the other way round). A new letter refills the bank.

Scoring

  • Word scores are determined by their letter values, creating longer words and using rarer letters will net you more points.
  • Category bonus. A word whose meaning fits the active bonus category scores 20 more, and a new category appears.
  • Toolkit bonus. Each kind of move lights up its icon. Light all five and you score 10 more, then the icons reset so you can earn it again.
  • Long word bonus. A 6-letter word scores 6 more and a 7-letter word 7 more. Longer words score their length.
  • Classic ends after 25 steps, and you can keep playing in Free play from there. Free play ends when no move is possible and no powers or undo can help.