Rung #22: PALM to KIND — the solution

The Rung ladder from September 5, 2026: PALM to KIND, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 5, with one two-letter leap in hand.

The puzzle

Climb from PALM to KIND. 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 65 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. PALM → PALE — the fourth letter, M becomes E.
2. PALE → PILE — the second letter, A becomes I.
3. PILE → PINE — the third letter, L becomes N.
4. PINE → KINE — the first letter, P becomes K.
5. KINE → KIND — the fourth letter, E becomes D.

Other routes as short: PALM · PAND · FAND · FIND · KIND; PALM · PAND · MAND · MIND · KIND; PALM · PAND · SAND · SIND · KIND; and more.

The answer

PALM · PALE · PILE · PINE · KINE · KIND — 5 rungs.

Previous: Rung #21 (Fri, Sep 4) · Next: Rung #23 (Sun, Sep 6)

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.