Rung #6: BOMB to FACT — the solution

The Rung ladder from August 20, 2026: BOMB to FACT, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 6, with one two-letter leap in hand.

The puzzle

Climb from BOMB to FACT. Par is the shortest climb through the whole accepted dictionary, counting the leap — two letters changed in one move, once, at the cost of two rungs, so it cannot be beaten. The leap does not shorten this one: 6 rungs is the shortest climb with or without it.

The walkthrough

A climb that makes par, one of 99 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. BOMB → COMB — the first letter, B becomes C.
2. COMB → COME — the fourth letter, B becomes E.
3. COME → CAME — the second letter, O becomes A.
4. CAME → FAME — the first letter, C becomes F.
5. FAME → FACE — the third letter, M becomes C.
6. FACE → FACT — the fourth letter, E becomes T.

Other routes as short: BOMB · BOKE · BAKE · FAKE · FACE · FACT; BOMB · COME · CAME · FAME · FACE · FACT; BOMB · GAMB · GAME · FAME · FACE · FACT; and more.

The answer

BOMB · COMB · COME · CAME · FAME · FACE · FACT — 6 rungs.

Previous: Rung #5 (Wed, Aug 19) · Next: Rung #7 (Fri, Aug 21)

About Rung

Rung is Noggin’s daily word ladder: four letters, one changed at a time, par set by the shortest climb there is. Any real word is a rung; a two-letter leap is yours once a day. How to play Rung, or play today’s.