Word Labyrinth

Word ladder answers for March 20, 2026

The daily ladder for Friday, March 20, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was RINDS to BANGS, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was GAG to NAPPING, which needs at least 7.

Each solution below is hidden until you open it, so you can try the puzzle first. A shortest solution is shown for every puzzle; many ladders have more than one path of the same length, so yours may differ and still be optimal.

Puzzle 1: RINDS to BANGS

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. R becomes B
  3. I becomes A
  4. D becomes G

Words in this ladder

RINDS noun
the natural outer covering of food (usually removed before eating)
BINDS noun
something that hinders as if with bonds
BANDS noun
an unofficial association of people or groups
BANGS noun
a vigorous blow

Puzzle 2: RUE to JET

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  2. E becomes T
  3. R becomes J
  4. U becomes E

Words in this ladder

RUE noun
European strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivy
RUT noun
a groove or furrow (especially one in soft earth caused by wheels)
JUT noun
something that bulges out or is protuberant or projects from its surroundings
JET noun
an airplane powered by one or more jet engines

Puzzle 3: RAIDS to BIASES

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  2. I becomes N
  3. R becomes B
  4. D becomes E
  5. N becomes S
  6. add I

Words in this ladder

RAIDS noun
a sudden short attack
RANDS noun
the basic unit of money in South Africa; equal to 100 cents
BANDS noun
an unofficial association of people or groups
BANES noun
something causing misery or death
BASES noun
installation from which a military force initiates operations
BIASES noun
a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation

Puzzle 4: HIKE to SHORT

Medium Shortest solution: 4 steps

Show the solution
  2. K becomes R
  3. add S
  4. E becomes T
  5. I becomes O

Words in this ladder

HIKE noun
a long walk usually for exercise or pleasure
HIRE noun
a newly hired employee
SHIRE noun
a former administrative district of England; equivalent to a county
SHIRT noun
a garment worn on the upper half of the body
SHORT noun
the location on a baseball field where the shortstop is stationed

Puzzle 5: GAG to NAPPING

Hard Shortest solution: 7 steps

Show the solution
  2. A becomes I
  3. G becomes P
  4. add N
  5. add A
  6. add T
  7. add P
  8. T becomes N

Words in this ladder

GAG noun
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
GIG noun
long and light rowing boat; especially for racing
PIG noun
domestic swine
PING noun
a river in western Thailand; a major tributary of the Chao Phraya
APING verb
imitate uncritically and in every aspect
TAPING noun
a recording made on magnetic tape
TAPPING noun
the sound of light blow or knock
NAPPING verb
take a siesta

Today's puzzles are waiting

A new set of word ladders is released every day, free to play.

Play today's ladder