Rung #63: DRAIN to CROSS — the solution

The Rung ladder from October 16, 2026: DRAIN to CROSS, 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 DRAIN to CROSS. 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 one more, so the shortest route comes in under it. The leap does not shorten this one: 5 rungs is the shortest climb with or without it.

The walkthrough

A climb under par, one of 41 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. DRAIN → DRAWN — the fourth letter, I becomes W.
2. DRAWN → DROWN — the third letter, A becomes O.
3. DROWN → CROWN — the first letter, D becomes C.
4. CROWN → CROWS — the fifth letter, N becomes S.
5. CROWS → CROSS — the fourth letter, W becomes S.

Other routes as short: DRAIN · DROWN · CROWN · CROWS · CROSS; DRAIN · DRAWN · CROWN · CROWS · CROSS; DRAIN · GRAIN · GRASS · CRASS · CROSS; and more.

The answer

DRAIN · DRAWN · DROWN · CROWN · CROWS · CROSS — 5 rungs.

Previous: Rung #62 (Thu, Oct 15) · Next: Rung #64 (Sat, Oct 17) · 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.