What is Wordle: How to Choose the Best First Guess

Years back, a simple yet captivating word puzzle game has taken the internet by storm called Wordle. This five-letter word guessing game has become a daily ritual for millions of people worldwide, mostly in the United State. It’s an engaging and accessible challenge that exercises the mind in a fun and casual way. Whether you’re looking to kill time or sharpen your word skills, Wordle offers something for everyone. In this article, we’ll explain what is Wordle, how to play it, why it’s so addictive, and share some strategies on how to choose the best first guess.

What is Wordle?

Wordle is an online word puzzle where you have six chances to guess a hidden five-letter word. Each time you make a guess, the game gives you feedback by color-coding the letters:

• Green – means the letter is correct and in the right spot.
• Yellow – means the letter is in the word, but in the wrong spot.
• Gray – means the letter isn’t in the word at all.

It’s simple we hope you understand now what is Wordle, but the challenge comes from figuring out the word with limited attempts. Let’s take a look at how to play, why it’s become so addictive, and how you can improve your chances of winning.

 

How to Play Wordle

The goal of Wordle is to guess a five-letter word in six tries and win. Here’s how it works:

Make Your First Guess: Start with any five-letter word. It’s helpful to choose a word that uses a mix of vowels and common consonants, like “stone” or “crane.”

Check the Feedback: After each guess, the game will color-code the letters. If a letter is green, you know it’s correct. Yellow means it’s in the word but in the wrong spot. Gray means it’s not in the word at all.

Make Your Next Guess: With each guess, adjust based on the feedback you’ve received. For example, if a letter is yellow, try placing it in a different position on your next guess. If it’s gray, avoid using that letter again.

Keep Going: You have six tries to guess the word correctly. Use your previous guesses to eliminate possibilities and narrow down the correct word.

Game Over: If you guess the word within six tries, you win! If not, the game will reveal the correct word, and you can try again tomorrow.

 

Full Video on How to play Wordle for Beginners

 

Example of How to Play Wordle

Let’s say you’re playing a new round of Wordle for the day, so the secret word is hidden, and you have six attempts to guess it. Here’s how the game might play out:

Step 1: First Guess
You start by guessing the word “CRANE“.

The feedback shows that C is gray (not in the word at all).
R is yellow (in the word but in the wrong spot).
A is green (correct letter in the right spot).
N is gray (not in the word).
E is gray (not in the word).

Step 2: Second Guess
Now you know that C, N, and E are not in the word. You also know that R should be somewhere in the word, but not in the second position, and A is in the right spot.

You try “BRASH“.

B is gray (not in the word).
R is green (correct letter and in the correct spot).
A is green (still correct in the same spot).
S is gray (not in the word).
H is gray (not in the word).

Step 3: Third Guess
Based on the previous guesses, you try “GRABO“.

G is gray (not in the word).
R is green (correct in the right spot).
A is green (correct in the right spot).
B is gray (not in the word).
O is yellow (correct letter but in the wrong position).

Step 4: Final Guess
You now know that R is correct in the second position, A is in the third, and O belongs in the last spot. You try “ORATE“.

O is green (correct in the right spot).
R is green (correct in the right spot).
A is green (correct in the right spot).
T is gray (not in the word).
E is gray (not in the word).

Step 5: Answer
With this feedback, you quickly realize the secret word is “ORANGE” and you have solved it!

In this example, feedback from each guess helped you narrow down the possibilities and get closer to solving the puzzle. The key is to use the clues to eliminate letters and test new positions, refining your guesses with each attempt.

 

Where to Play Wordle

You can play Wordle in several places online, you can also play Wordle on The New York Times website, where it’s part of their daily puzzles, but you’ll need a NYT account to play beyond the daily game. Here are the most popular options:

1. Wordle on The New York Times

• Link: https://www.nytimes.com/games/wordle/index.html
• The New York Times bought the game in 2022, and it can now be played through their platform. The interface is nearly the same, but you’ll need a NYT account to play past the daily puzzle.

2. Wordle Apps

• Many unofficial Wordle apps are available for download on iOS and Android devices. They are great if you prefer playing on your phone or tablet.

3. Social Media Platforms

• Some platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit have Wordle groups or pages where fans share their results and play together.

No matter where you choose to play, the game rules stay the same: guess the five-letter word in six tries!

 

Why is Wordle So Popular?

Wordle’s success is due to several reasons which you must know:

Simple But Challenging

The game’s rules are easy to understand, guess the word in six tries. But figuring out the word requires strategy and critical thinking. It’s easy to start playing, but solving the word often takes some effort, keeping players engaged.

Quick and Easy to Play

Each round of Wordle only takes a few minutes, which makes it perfect for a quick break during your day. Whether you’re waiting for a meeting or just want to relax, it’s easy to fit a game into your schedule.

Social Aspect

After solving the puzzle, players can share their results on social media. This has turned Wordle into a social experience, with people comparing how many guesses it took them to solve the word. It’s a fun way to challenge friends and family to see who can solve it the fastest.

One Game a Day

Wordle only offers one word puzzle per day. This limited number makes each game feel special and creates a habit of playing every day. The anticipation of discovering the new word each day is part of the fun!

Tips for Winning at Wordle

Though Wordle is easy to play, there are strategies that can help you solve the puzzle more quickly. Here are some tips to improve your chances of winning:

1. Start with a Strong First Guess

Use a word that includes common vowels and consonants. Words like “stone,” “table,” or “place” are good starting points because they contain frequently used letters.

2. Eliminate Letters

As you play, pay attention to the gray letters. These are letters that are not in the word at all. Make sure to avoid using them in your future guesses, which will help you narrow down your options.

3. Look for Common Letter Pairs

Many words have common letter combinations, like “TH,” “ER,” or “CH.” If you’re stuck, try thinking about letter combinations that might fit.

4. Test Different Positions for Yellow Letters

If a letter is yellow, that means it’s in the word but not in the right spot. In your next guesses, try moving it to a different position and see if that works.

5. Stay Organized

It can be easy to forget which letters you’ve already ruled out. Keep track of the letters that have been gray so you don’t accidentally repeat them.

 

Why People Love Wordle

Wordle has become a daily tradition for many, and for good reason, It’s the perfect mix of simplicity and challenge, and it only takes a few minutes to play. The social aspect of sharing your results and competing with others adds an extra layer of fun. Plus, the cognitive benefits of playing regularly, such as improved memory and problem-solving skills, make it a great mental exercise.