Word ladder answers for July 31, 2026

The daily ladder for Friday, July 31, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was TIMES to WALES, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was KINDS to ARMET, 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: TIMES to WALES

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  1. I becomes A
  2. M becomes L
  3. T becomes W

Words in this ladder

TIMES noun
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
TAMES verb
correct by punishment or discipline
TALES noun
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
WALES noun
one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; during Roman times the region was known as Cambria

Puzzle 2: SOPS to DOPES

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps

Show the solution
  1. S becomes H
  2. add E
  3. H becomes D

Words in this ladder

SOPS noun
piece of solid food for dipping in a liquid
HOPS noun
twining perennials having cordate leaves and flowers arranged in conelike spikes; the dried flowers of this plant are used in brewing to add the characteristic bitter taste to beer
HOPES noun
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
DOPES noun
street names for marijuana

Puzzle 3: TOTS to HULKS

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  1. O becomes U
  2. T becomes H
  3. add N
  4. T becomes K
  5. N becomes L

Words in this ladder

TOTS noun
a small amount (especially of a drink)
TUTS verb
utter `tsk,' `tut,' or `tut-tut,' as in disapproval
HUTS noun
temporary military shelter
HUNTS noun
Englishman and Pre-Raphaelite painter (1827-1910)
HUNKS noun
a well-built sexually attractive man
HULKS noun
a very large person; impressive in size or qualities

Puzzle 4: TRIPS to ROAMS

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps

Show the solution
  1. I becomes A
  2. P becomes M
  3. R becomes E
  4. T becomes R
  5. E becomes O

Words in this ladder

TRIPS noun
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
TRAPS noun
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
TRAMS noun
a conveyance that transports passengers or freight in carriers suspended from cables and supported by a series of towers
TEAMS noun
a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
REAMS noun
a large quantity of written matter
ROAMS verb
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

Puzzle 5: KINDS to ARMET

Hard Shortest solution: 7 steps

Show the solution
  1. D becomes E
  2. K becomes T
  3. N becomes M
  4. S becomes D
  5. T becomes A
  6. I becomes R
  7. D becomes T

Words in this ladder

KINDS noun
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
KINES noun
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age; ; ; - Bible
TINES noun
prong on a fork or pitchfork or antler
TIMES noun
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
TIMED verb
measure the time or duration of an event or action or the person who performs an action in a certain period of time
AIMED verb
point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
ARMED verb
prepare oneself for a military confrontation
ARMET noun
a medieval helmet with a visor and a neck guard

Today's puzzles are waiting

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

Play today's ladder