Rung #76: MINUS to PAPER — the solution

The Rung ladder from October 29, 2026: MINUS to PAPER, 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 MINUS to PAPER. 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 22 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. MINUS → MANUS — the second letter, I becomes A.
2. MANUS → MANES — the fourth letter, U becomes E.
3. MANES → PANES — the first letter, M becomes P.
4. PANES → PAPES — the third letter, N becomes P.
5. PAPES → PAPER — the fifth letter, S becomes R.

Other routes as short: MINUS · MINES · MANES · PANES · PAPES · PAPER; MINUS · MINES · PINES · PANES · PAPES · PAPER; MINUS · MINES · PINES · PIPES · PAPES · PAPER; and more.

The answer

MINUS · MANUS · MANES · PANES · PAPES · PAPER — 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.