Rung #42: SELLS to DEATH — the solution

The Rung ladder from September 25, 2026: SELLS to DEATH, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 6: the shortest climb there is takes 5 rungs, and par gives you one to spare.

The puzzle

Climb from SELLS to DEATH. The shortest climb through the whole accepted dictionary is 5 rungs; par is one more, so the shortest route comes in under it.

The walkthrough

A climb one under par, one of 11 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. SELLS → BELLS — the first letter, S becomes B.
2. BELLS → BELTS — the fourth letter, L becomes T.
3. BELTS → BEATS — the third letter, L becomes A.
4. BEATS → BEATH — the fifth letter, S becomes H.
5. BEATH → DEATH — the first letter, B becomes D.

Other routes as short: SELLS · SEALS · SEATS · BEATS · BEATH · DEATH; SELLS · SEALS · SEATS · HEATS · HEATH · DEATH; SELLS · HELLS · HEALS · HEATS · HEATH · DEATH; and more.

The answer

SELLS · BELLS · BELTS · BEATS · BEATH · DEATH — 5 rungs.

Previous: Rung #41 (Thu, Sep 24)

About Rung

Rung is Noggin’s daily word ladder: five letters, one changed at a time, par set by the shortest climb there is. Any real word is a rung. How to play Rung, or play today’s.