Rung #14: SPOT to EASY — the solution

The Rung ladder from August 28, 2026: SPOT to EASY, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 6, with one two-letter leap in hand.

The puzzle

Climb from SPOT to EASY. 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 95 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. SPOT → SOOT — the second letter, P becomes O.
2. SOOT → COOT — the first letter, S becomes C.
3. COOT → COST — the third letter, O becomes S.
4. COST → CAST — the second letter, O becomes A.
5. CAST → EAST — the first letter, C becomes E.
6. EAST → EASY — the fourth letter, T becomes Y.

Other routes as short: SPOT · SOOT · HOOT · HOST · HAST · EAST · EASY; SPOT · SOOT · LOOT · LOST · LAST · EAST · EASY; SPOT · SOOT · MOOT · MOST · MAST · EAST · EASY; and more.

The answer

SPOT · SOOT · COOT · COST · CAST · EAST · EASY — 6 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.