Word ladder answers for June 30, 2026

The daily ladder for Tuesday, June 30, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was SAX to VAN, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was VISE to TUBA, which needs at least 5.

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: SAX to VAN

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  1. S becomes T
  2. X becomes N
  3. T becomes V

Words in this ladder

SAX noun
a Belgian maker of musical instruments who invented the saxophone (1814-1894)
TAX noun
charge against a citizen's person or property or activity for the support of government
TAN noun
a browning of the skin resulting from exposure to the rays of the sun
VAN noun
any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)

Puzzle 2: CLANS to CLOCK

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  1. S becomes K
  2. N becomes C
  3. A becomes O

Words in this ladder

CLANS noun
group of people related by blood or marriage
CLANK noun
a loud resonant repeating noise
CLACK noun
a sharp abrupt noise as if two objects hit together; may be repeated
CLOCK noun
a timepiece that shows the time of day

Puzzle 3: VISE to TUBA

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  1. S becomes N
  2. V becomes T
  3. I becomes U
  4. E becomes A
  5. N becomes B

Words in this ladder

VISE noun
a holding device attached to a workbench; has two jaws to hold workpiece firmly in place
VINE noun
a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface
TINE noun
prong on a fork or pitchfork or antler
TUNE noun
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
TUNA noun
tropical American prickly pear of Jamaica
TUBA noun
the lowest brass wind instrument

Puzzle 4: SENDS to PANES

Medium Shortest solution: 4 steps

Show the solution
  1. S becomes L
  2. E becomes A
  3. D becomes E
  4. L becomes P

Words in this ladder

SENDS verb
cause to go somewhere
LENDS verb
bestow a quality on
LANDS noun
the land on which real estate is located
LANES noun
a narrow way or road
PANES noun
sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors

Puzzle 5: TITHES to PARCHED

Hard Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  1. S becomes D
  2. T becomes P
  3. add C
  4. I becomes A
  5. T becomes R

Words in this ladder

TITHES noun
a levy of one tenth of something
TITHED verb
exact a tithe from
PITHED verb
remove the pith from (a plant)
PITCHED verb
throw or toss with a light motion
PATCHED verb
to join or unite the pieces of
PARCHED verb
cause to wither or parch from exposure to heat

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