Rung #13: NECK to CALL — the solution

The Rung ladder from August 27, 2026: NECK to CALL, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 5, with one two-letter leap in hand.

The puzzle

Climb from NECK to CALL. 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: 5 rungs is the shortest climb with or without it.

The walkthrough

A climb that makes par, one of 51 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. NECK → BECK — the first letter, N becomes B.
2. BECK → BACK — the second letter, E becomes A.
3. BACK → BALK — the third letter, C becomes L.
4. BALK → BALL — the fourth letter, K becomes L.
5. BALL → CALL — the first letter, B becomes C.

Other routes as short: NECK · BECK · BACK · BALK · CALK · CALL; NECK · NERK · NARK · CARK · CALK · CALL; NECK · NERK · NARK · CARK · CARL · CALL; and more.

The answer

NECK · BECK · BACK · BALK · BALL · CALL — 5 rungs.

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About Rung

Rung is Noggin’s daily word ladder: four letters that day, five now, 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, and a hint when you are stuck. How to play Rung, or play today’s.