Rung #17: DISK to JACK — the solution

The Rung ladder from August 31, 2026: DISK to JACK, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 4.

The puzzle

Climb from DISK to JACK. Par is the shortest climb through the whole accepted dictionary, so it cannot be beaten. 4 rungs is the fewest there are.

The walkthrough

A climb that makes par, one of 8 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. DISK → DESK — the second letter, I becomes E.
2. DESK → DECK — the third letter, S becomes C.
3. DECK → DACK — the second letter, E becomes A.
4. DACK → JACK — the first letter, D becomes J.

Other routes as short: DISK · DUSK · DUCK · DACK · JACK; DISK · RISK · RICK · RACK · JACK; DISK · BISK · BASK · BACK · JACK; and more.

The answer

DISK · DESK · DECK · DACK · JACK — 4 rungs.

Previous: Rung #16 (Sun, Aug 30) · Next: Rung #18 (Tue, Sep 1)

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.