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 → WELK — the leap: N becomes W and C becomes L, two letters in one move for two rungs.
2. WELK → WELL — the fourth letter, K becomes L.
3. WELL → CELL — the first letter, W becomes C.
4. CELL → CALL — the second letter, E becomes A.

Other routes as short: NECK · BECK · BELL · CELL · CALL; NECK · DECK · DELL · CELL · CALL; NECK · BECK · BACK · BALK · BALL · CALL; and more.

The answer

NECK · WELK · WELL · CELL · CALL — 5 rungs, the leap landing on the word in italics.

Previous: Rung #12 (Wed, Aug 26) · Next: Rung #14 (Fri, Aug 28)

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.