Rung #74: MEALS to BOOTH — the solution

The Rung ladder from October 27, 2026: MEALS to BOOTH, 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 MEALS to BOOTH. 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 17 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. MEALS → MEATS — the fourth letter, L becomes T.
2. MEATS → BEATS — the first letter, M becomes B.
3. BEATS → BOATS — the second letter, E becomes O.
4. BOATS → BOOTS — the third letter, A becomes O.
5. BOOTS → BOOTH — the fifth letter, S becomes H.

Other routes as short: MEALS · BEATS · BOATS · BOOTS · BOOTH; MEALS · MEATS · BEATS · BOOTS · BOOTH; MEALS · MEATS · MOATS · BOATS · BOOTS · BOOTH; and more.

The answer

MEALS · MEATS · BEATS · BOATS · BOOTS · BOOTH — 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.