Word Labyrinth

Word ladder answers for October 16, 2026

The daily ladder for Friday, October 16, 2026 had 5 puzzles. The quickest was AFT to CANS, solvable in 3 steps, and the longest was MYTH to AUNTS, which needs at least 6. On AFT to CANS, players averaged 3.7 steps against a shortest path of 3.

Solutions are folded away until you open them, so you can have a go first. We show one shortest path per puzzle. Plenty of ladders have two or three paths of the same length, so if yours doesn't match and has the same step count, it's just as good.

Puzzle 1: AFT to CANS

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps · Solved by 3 players · 67% found a shortest path · 3.7 steps on average

Show the solution
  2. F becomes N
  3. add C
  4. T becomes S

Words in this ladder

AFT adjective
(nautical, aeronautical) situated at or toward the stern or tail
ANT noun
social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers
CANT noun
stock phrases that have become nonsense through endless repetition
CANS noun
airtight sealed metal container for food or drink or paint etc.

Puzzle 2: CRY to AIRY

Easy Shortest solution: 3 steps · Solved by 1 player

Show the solution
  2. C becomes W
  3. add A
  4. W becomes I

Words in this ladder

CRY noun
a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
WRY adjective
humorously sarcastic or mocking
AWRY adjective
turned or twisted toward one side; - G.K.Chesterton
AIRY adjective
open to or abounding in fresh air

Puzzle 3: OPT to BALK

Medium Shortest solution: 5 steps · Solved by 1 player

Show the solution
  2. P becomes A
  3. O becomes B
  4. T becomes D
  5. add L
  6. D becomes K

Words in this ladder

OPT verb
select as an alternative over another
OAT noun
annual grass of Europe and North Africa; grains used as food and fodder (referred to primarily in the plural: `oats')
BAT noun
nocturnal mouselike mammal with forelimbs modified to form membranous wings and anatomical adaptations for echolocation by which they navigate
BAD noun
that which is below standard or expectations as of ethics or decency
BALD verb
grow bald; lose hair on one's head
BALK noun
the area on a billiard table behind the balkline

Puzzle 4: COMMUNE to COMPLETE

Medium Shortest solution: 4 steps · Solved by 1 player

Show the solution
  2. N becomes T
  3. M becomes P
  4. U becomes E
  5. add L

Words in this ladder

COMMUNE noun
the smallest administrative district of several European countries
COMMUTE noun
a regular journey of some distance to and from your place of work
COMPUTE verb
make a mathematical calculation or computation
COMPETE verb
compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
COMPLETE verb
come or bring to a finish or an end

Puzzle 5: MYTH to AUNTS

Hard Shortest solution: 6 steps · Solved by 1 player

Show the solution
  2. Y becomes A
  3. H becomes S
  4. M becomes H
  5. A becomes U
  6. add N
  7. H becomes A

Words in this ladder

MYTH noun
a traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people
MATH noun
a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement
MATS noun
a thick flat pad used as a floor covering
HATS noun
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
HUTS noun
temporary military shelter
HUNTS noun
Englishman and Pre-Raphaelite painter (1827-1910)
AUNTS noun
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle

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