Rung #40: TREE to LAWN — the solution

The Rung ladder from September 23, 2026: TREE to LAWN, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 5, with one two-letter leap in hand.

The puzzle

Climb from TREE to LAWN. 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 14 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. TREE → TRES — the fourth letter, E becomes S.
2. TRES → TAES — the second letter, R becomes A.
3. TAES → TAWS — the third letter, E becomes W.
4. TAWS → LAWS — the first letter, T becomes L.
5. LAWS → LAWN — the fourth letter, S becomes N.

Other routes as short: TREE · TRIE · TRIN · TAIN · LAIN · LAWN; TREE · TAES · TAWS · LAWS · LAWN; TREE · TARE · LARE · LARN · LAWN; and more.

The answer

TREE · TRES · TAES · TAWS · LAWS · LAWN — 5 rungs.

Previous: Rung #39 (Tue, Sep 22)

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.