Rung #23: KIDS to HARD — the solution

The Rung ladder from September 6, 2026: KIDS to HARD, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 5, with one two-letter leap in hand.

The puzzle

Climb from KIDS to HARD. 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 116 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. KIDS → CIDS — the first letter, K becomes C.
2. CIDS → CADS — the second letter, I becomes A.
3. CADS → CARS — the third letter, D becomes R.
4. CARS → CARD — the fourth letter, S becomes D.
5. CARD → HARD — the first letter, C becomes H.

Other routes as short: KIDS · KINS · KIND · HIND · HAND · HARD; KIDS · CADS · CARS · CARD · HARD; KIDS · HIDE · HADE · HARE · HARD; and more.

The answer

KIDS · CIDS · CADS · CARS · CARD · HARD — 5 rungs.

Previous: Rung #22 (Sat, Sep 5) · Next: Rung #24 (Mon, Sep 7)

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.