Rung #46: HEADS to STONE — the solution

The Rung ladder from September 29, 2026: HEADS to STONE, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 7: the shortest climb there is takes 6 rungs, and par gives you one to spare.

The puzzle

Climb from HEADS to STONE. The shortest climb through the whole accepted dictionary, counting the leap — two letters changed in one move, once, at the cost of two rungs — is 6 rungs; par is one more, so the shortest route comes in under it. The leap does not shorten this one: 6 rungs is the shortest climb with or without it.

The walkthrough

A climb under par, one of 54 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. HEADS → HEATS — the fourth letter, D becomes T.
2. HEATS → SEATS — the first letter, H becomes S.
3. SEATS → STATS — the second letter, E becomes T.
4. STATS → STATE — the fifth letter, S becomes E.
5. STATE → STANE — the fourth letter, T becomes N.
6. STANE → STONE — the third letter, A becomes O.

Other routes as short: HEADS · SEATS · STATS · STATE · STANE · STONE; HEADS · HEATS · SEATS · STATS · STATE · STONE; HEADS · HEARS · SEARS · STARS · STARE · STORE · STONE; and more.

The answer

HEADS · HEATS · SEATS · STATS · STATE · STANE · STONE — 6 rungs.

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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; a two-letter leap is yours once a day, and a hint when you are stuck. How to play Rung, or play today’s.