Rung #69: GRADE to THICK — the solution

The Rung ladder from October 22, 2026: GRADE to THICK, 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 GRADE to THICK. 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 38 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. GRADE → TRADE — the first letter, G becomes T.
2. TRADE → TRACE — the fourth letter, D becomes C.
3. TRACE → TRACK — the fifth letter, E becomes K.
4. TRACK → TRICK — the third letter, A becomes I.
5. TRICK → THICK — the second letter, R becomes H.

Other routes as short: GRADE · GRACE · TRACE · TRACK · TRICK · THICK; GRADE · TRADE · TRACE · TRACK · THACK · THICK; GRADE · TRADE · TRACE · TRICE · TRICK · THICK; and more.

The answer

GRADE · TRADE · TRACE · TRACK · TRICK · THICK — 5 rungs.

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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.