Rung #26: SURF to DROP — the solution

The Rung ladder from September 9, 2026: SURF to DROP, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 6, with one two-letter leap in hand.

The puzzle

Climb from SURF to DROP. 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 12 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. SURF → CURF — the first letter, S becomes C.
2. CURF → CORF — the second letter, U becomes O.
3. CORF → COOF — the third letter, R becomes O.
4. COOF → COOP — the fourth letter, F becomes P.
5. COOP → CROP — the second letter, O becomes R.
6. CROP → DROP — the first letter, C becomes D.

Other routes as short: SURF · CORF · COOF · COOP · CROP · DROP; SURF · CURF · COOF · COOP · CROP · DROP; SURF · SURD · DUAD · DRAD · DRAP · DROP; and more.

The answer

SURF · CURF · CORF · COOF · COOP · CROP · DROP — 6 rungs.

Previous: Rung #25 (Tue, Sep 8) · Next: Rung #27 (Thu, Sep 10) · All Rung solutions

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.