Rung #60: CLOCK to GUIDE — the solution

The Rung ladder from October 13, 2026: CLOCK to GUIDE, 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 CLOCK to GUIDE. 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 17 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. CLOCK → CLICK — the third letter, O becomes I.
2. CLICK → SLICK — the first letter, C becomes S.
3. SLICK → SLICE — the fifth letter, K becomes E.
4. SLICE → SLIDE — the fourth letter, C becomes D.
5. SLIDE → GLIDE — the first letter, S becomes G.
6. GLIDE → GUIDE — the second letter, L becomes U.

Other routes as short: CLOCK · CLICK · SLICE · SLIDE · GLIDE · GUIDE; CLOCK · CLICK · SLICK · SLIDE · GLIDE · GUIDE; CLOCK · CLICK · SLICK · SLICE · SLIDE · GUIDE; and more.

The answer

CLOCK · CLICK · SLICK · SLICE · SLIDE · GLIDE · GUIDE — 6 rungs.

Previous: Rung #59 (Mon, Oct 12) · Next: Rung #61 (Wed, Oct 14) · All Rung solutions

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.