Rung #84: WIRED to FUNDS — the solution

The Rung ladder from November 6, 2026: WIRED to FUNDS, 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 WIRED to FUNDS. 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 31 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. WIRED → FIRED — the first letter, W becomes F.
2. FIRED → FIRES — the fifth letter, D becomes S.
3. FIRES → FINES — the third letter, R becomes N.
4. FINES → FINDS — the fourth letter, E becomes D.
5. FINDS → FUNDS — the second letter, I becomes U.

Other routes as short: WIRED · WIRES · FIRES · FINES · FINDS · FUNDS; WIRED · WIRES · WINES · WINDS · FINDS · FUNDS; WIRED · WIRES · WINDS · FINDS · FUNDS; and more.

The answer

WIRED · FIRED · FIRES · FINES · FINDS · FUNDS — 5 rungs.

Previous: Rung #83 (Thu, Nov 5) · Next: Rung #85 (Sat, Nov 7) · All Rung solutions

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.