Rung #50: SAVER to WOODS — the solution

The Rung ladder from October 3, 2026: SAVER to WOODS, 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 SAVER to WOODS. 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 60 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. SAVER → SAVES — the fifth letter, R becomes S.
2. SAVES → WAVES — the first letter, S becomes W.
3. WAVES → WARES — the third letter, V becomes R.
4. WARES → WARDS — the fourth letter, E becomes D.
5. WARDS → WORDS — the second letter, A becomes O.
6. WORDS → WOODS — the third letter, R becomes O.

Other routes as short: SAVER · WAVER · WAVES · WARES · WARDS · WORDS · WOODS; SAVER · SORER · SORES · SORDS · WORDS · WOODS; SAVER · WAVES · WARES · WARDS · WORDS · WOODS; and more.

The answer

SAVER · SAVES · WAVES · WARES · WARDS · WORDS · WOODS — 6 rungs.

Previous: Rung #49 (Fri, Oct 2)

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.