Rung #55: SCALE to MEETS — the solution

The Rung ladder from October 8, 2026: SCALE to MEETS, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 7: the shortest climb there is takes 5 rungs, and par gives you 2 to spare.

The puzzle

Climb from SCALE to MEETS. 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 5 rungs; par is 2 more, so the shortest route comes in under it. Without the leap the shortest climb is 6 rungs; the leap saves 1.

The walkthrough

A climb under par, one of 3 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. SCALE → SCATS — the leap: L becomes T and E becomes S, two letters in one move for two rungs.
2. SCATS → SEATS — the second letter, C becomes E.
3. SEATS → MEATS — the first letter, S becomes M.
4. MEATS → MEETS — the third letter, A becomes E.

Other routes as short: SCALE · SEALS · MEALS · MEATS · MEETS; SCALE · SEALS · SEATS · MEATS · MEETS.

The answer

SCALE · SCATS · SEATS · MEATS · MEETS — 5 rungs, the leap landing on the word in italics.

Previous: Rung #54 (Wed, Oct 7)

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.