Rung #32: SAFE to TEAM — the solution

The Rung ladder from September 15, 2026: SAFE to TEAM, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 5, with one two-letter leap in hand.

The puzzle

Climb from SAFE to TEAM. 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. Without the leap the shortest climb is 6 rungs; the leap saves 1.

The walkthrough

A climb that makes par, one of 14 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. SAFE → SALE — the third letter, F becomes L.
2. SALE → TALE — the first letter, S becomes T.
3. TALE → TELE — the second letter, A becomes E.
4. TELE → TEAM — the leap: L becomes A and E becomes M, two letters in one move for two rungs.

Other routes as short: SAFE · SPAE · SPAM · SEAM · TEAM; SAFE · SAFT · SEAT · SEAM · TEAM; SAFE · SAFT · SEAT · TEAT · TEAM; and more.

The answer

SAFE · SALE · TALE · TELE · TEAM — 5 rungs, the leap landing on the word in italics.

Previous: Rung #31 (Mon, Sep 14) · Next: Rung #33 (Wed, Sep 16)

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.