Rung #71: SMART to DEALT — the solution

The Rung ladder from October 24, 2026: SMART to DEALT, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 7: the shortest climb there is takes 3 rungs, and par gives you 4 to spare.

The puzzle

Climb from SMART to DEALT. 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 3 rungs; par is 4 more, so the shortest route comes in under it. Without the leap the shortest climb is 6 rungs; the leap saves 3.

The walkthrough

A climb under par, the only one that short: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. SMART → SMALT — the fourth letter, R becomes L.
2. SMALT → DEALT — the leap: S becomes D and M becomes E, two letters in one move for two rungs.

The answer

SMART · SMALT · DEALT — 3 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.