Rung #79: CELLS to SCORE — the solution

The Rung ladder from November 1, 2026: CELLS to SCORE, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 7: the shortest climb there is takes 6 rungs, and par gives you one to spare.

The puzzle

Climb from CELLS to SCORE. 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 6 rungs; par is one more, so the shortest route comes in under it. The leap does not shorten this one: 6 rungs is the shortest climb with or without it.

The walkthrough

A climb under par, one of 16 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. CELLS → SELLS — the first letter, C becomes S.
2. SELLS → SEALS — the third letter, L becomes A.
3. SEALS → SCALE — the leap: E becomes C and S becomes E, two letters in one move for two rungs.
4. SCALE → SCARE — the fourth letter, L becomes R.
5. SCARE → SCORE — the third letter, A becomes O.

Other routes as short: CELLS · SELLS · SELLE · SCALE · SCARE · SCORE; CELLS · SELLS · SELLE · STOLE · STORE · SCORE; CELLS · SELLS · SEALS · SEARS · SCARS · SCARE · SCORE; and more.

The answer

CELLS · SELLS · SEALS · SCALE · SCARE · SCORE — 6 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.