Rung #64: STATE to CLICK — the solution

The Rung ladder from October 17, 2026: STATE to CLICK, 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 STATE to CLICK. 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 6 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. STATE → STACK — the leap: T becomes C and E becomes K, two letters in one move for two rungs.
2. STACK → STICK — the third letter, A becomes I.
3. STICK → SLICK — the second letter, T becomes L.
4. SLICK → CLICK — the first letter, S becomes C.

Other routes as short: STATE · STACK · SLACK · CLACK · CLICK; STATE · STACK · SLACK · SLICK · CLICK; STATE · SLATE · SLACK · CLACK · CLICK; and more.

The answer

STATE · STACK · STICK · SLICK · CLICK — 5 rungs, the leap landing on the word in italics.

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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.