What Your Wordle Score Says About You
March 22, 2022
Wordle has taken the world(le) by storm over the past several weeks. Every morning, students open their laptops and phones and try their hand at the daily vocabulary puzzle. Players try to guess one of more than 2,000 five-letter solution words. Words range from simple- “chant”- to near impossible- “cynic.” Part of the game’s appeal is the competitive aspect, as the game encourages you to share how many guesses it took for you to finally guess “query”. “Wordle in three” has become a common boast for many players. Personally, I love the Wordle and typically do fairly decently on it (at least until recently). Thus, I believe that I am qualified to judge you based on how you did.
Wordle in One
You cheated. Unless the wordle for that day was “adieu”, “alert”, “later”, or “soare” there is no way that you got the Wordle in one. Maybe you are one of those who hacked the game code to find all the answers. Maybe a friend spoiled it for you. Maybe you redid it just to feel like you accomplished something after getting it wrong. Regardless, nobody gets it in one try, if you claim that you did you are a dirty liar. There is no honor for cheaters.
Update: Local Chamblee student Nash Booth claimed to get “bloke” in one guess. I cannot verify whether or not he cheated. I have my suspicions.
Wordle in Two
Where is the four-leaf clover? If you got the Wordle in two it means that you are extremely lucky. I’ve done it maybe a handful of times in my entire Wordle career, illustrious as it may be. Nowadays, every time I think I’m about to get it in two I end up realizing that just because you have two letters doesn’t mean that the first thing that comes to mind is the correct word. It’s easy to fall into the trap of risking a higher word count to try and guess it with limited information.
Wordle in Three
If you can consistently get Wordle in three guesses, you are pretty darn good. A score of three is solidly above average, and it is certainly nothing to frown at. Especially with harder words such as “cynic,” “vivid,” or “swill,” getting it in three is very good. Three takes skill, finesse, and intellect. Only true Wordlers will be able to keep their streak of three and below. Knowing when to use previously gathered information is integral to maximizing your guesses. Additionally, a lucky guess or starter word always helps to put you on the right track. In the end, Wordle is also a word game, so if you have a broader vocabulary you may find it easier to come up with likely guesses.
Wordle in Four
Wordle in four is the last respectable score. If this was “Lord of the Rings,” a score of four would be Minas Tirath, the last stop on the way to fiery Mordor, and a score of five. Most people should, on average, get it in at least 4, even on days where it is harder. Especially if you aren’t making risky moves, four guesses should supply you with enough information to make a correct guess. I will admit, I have not always got it in under 4, largely because of my tendency to risk it for a lower score. No matter the cause, four is a decent score, and nothing to be ashamed of.
Wordle in Five
Five is simply unfortunate. By the time that I am on my fifth guess, I’ve likely had one or two bad guesses that yielded little to no information. Alternatively, I might’ve spent three attempts on guessing ”chain”, ”cheer”, or ”chose”, before finally landing on “chant”. No matter the cause, I would personally consider a score of five a failure. However, this doesn’t mean that we don’t benefit from the experience. Like all games, you can improve at Wordle by gaining knowledge and experience along the way. For example, we usually think in words starting with consonants, which can make it hard for us to guess even commonplace words like “other.” I’ve seen this happen to me and others many times, and it helps to put you into a mindset of an expanded vocabulary for guessing. Just like any game or puzzle, mindset is of utmost importance.
Wordle in Six
I am weaker than some. By the time that I’m on my sixth guess, I’ve likely already given up. What’s the point in even continuing, if all you have to show for it is a measly six? If you got the Wordle in six, you are probably not very good at word games, and simply bought into the hype. Or, perhaps you were very unlucky and didn’t realize that “rebus” was a real word that real people really said (ironically, a rebus is a type of puzzle). Regardless, everyone agrees that six is certainly a subpar score.
Wordle in X
Like six, except you actually failed. Maybe you gave up and just wanted to see the answer. Maybe you don’t care about it. Either way, you definitely aren’t going to want to share this score with the world. It’s a bad look.
Conclusion
Every day, the Wordle is different; that’s part of the simple beauty that the game has. However, it makes it hard to define what might be a “good” score on any given day. These are all (obviously) generalizations, but if you aren’t too much of a “cynic” you will “humor” my “trove” of knowledge and “pause” to admire the advanced “skill.”
Phil • Oct 7, 2024 at 12:19 pm
I’ve been playing for nearly 2 years. 683 times to be exact. I have a true 100% win%.Never lost ever. I play hard mode only. I choose a random 5-letter word every day that has at last 2 vowels. My average is 3.93. I bet I could improve the score, but I’m tempted to play stern after midnight if I’m up. I do worse on those ones!
I have gotten it in 1 guess once – with “AMBER”. I do not remember the date. I do not track my guesses, though I have a spreadsheet I use to calculate my average. I have the following guess distribution:
Guesses times
1 1. (0.1%)
2 43. (6.3%)
3 181. (26.5%
4 272. (39.8%)
5. 151. (22.1%)
6 35. (5.1%)
Gian • Sep 26, 2024 at 9:36 am
Getting it in 6 doesn’t always mean you’re bad at Wordle. I have an average score of 3.786. I have lost twice so far. Where I mess up is when you get words that end in OUND for example. I got OUND in three guesses. ROUND, then BOUND, and finally FOUND. It was HOUND. These are impossible situations because there are so many possible answers. This was my first loss. It happened so long ago and I still remember it because I felt so ripped off.
Dona • Sep 23, 2024 at 7:26 am
Toby Russell
I enjoyed your article on Wordle.
You have talent as a writer. I predict a great future. Keep your life straight and I’ll be seeing your name in the bylines of great journalism.
Juergen • Sep 7, 2024 at 8:02 pm
I’m mostly playing Wordle in German, because it’s the language I grew up with (although I now live in an English speaking country).
I always start with “Ruine”, because I can check three vowels in one word.
Of course, once it was the solution, so I I solved it in one go without cheating.
My average at the moment is four! Unlike English, German has a lot of words where only one consonant is different to make a completely different word! I recently didn’t solve a German Wordle, despite having four green letters on the second go! There were too many options for the last missing consonant. I later put all combinations into a blank Wordle and ended up with SEVEN accepted words PLUS the correct solution. Nothing one can do about this, it’s only a question of luck
Tom K. • Aug 29, 2024 at 10:29 am
Am a random visitor to your site. On 7/23/2023 I scored a one with the solution WHALE. Have had 44 two scores in 813 games. Have done that twice within three games. I do have a system forselecting my first guess. I complete the LA Times daily crossword and select either an in-the-clear solution word or a word contained within a word longer than five letters. I then check an archive list of all used Wordle solutions to be certain my possible selections have not been used previously. Have 13 fails in 813 games played. Longest win streak was 160. I play in ultra-hard mode. Admittedly, using an archive list enhances one chances.
Jlyd • Jun 28, 2024 at 3:11 am
I just got back to back “2”s on consecutive nights😬
Christopher Richardson • Jun 14, 2024 at 5:37 am
Of course it’s possible to get the right answer in one without cheating. Given that there are only 2,309 possible words but millions of players it’s bound to happen. An individual’s chance of getting it in one on each occasion is 2,309:1. I was surprised to get it with my usual starter word of RAISE after about 400 games..Now I start with ARISE in the hope it will happen again. Oddly, the archive doesn’t accept ARISE, but the live game does.
Sharon • May 16, 2024 at 8:15 pm
Believe me or not. I got wordle in ONE… 4x. I took a photo of my stats and I cannot find it. It was before the NYT bought the rights for Wordle. It was over a period of 3 or 4 months.
I swear on my daughter’s head!
Alarik • Apr 27, 2024 at 8:56 am
I’m cool with losing once in awhile but it’s so frustrating when you’ve got a 99% kill rate and you have one failure in your percentage drops like to 96 or something if I remember. It takes it seems like 80 straight in a streak to get yourself back up. In any case I love this game
Paul Riley • Mar 21, 2024 at 11:55 am
MY WINNING WILL BE INCOMPLETE IF I DON’T APPRECIATE LORD BUBUZA, the Lottery spell caster that revealed the numbers to me after casting a lottery spell for me.
David Stihler • Feb 3, 2024 at 11:46 am
I don’t care how many guesses I need I now have an 81 in a row.
Becky • Jan 23, 2024 at 2:03 am
My name is Becky B___, from Washington, I got the chance to win $756.6 million mega million jackpot last year (2023) with the help of Dr U____ spell casting. I contacted him after seeing testimonies of some people he has helped win millions of dollars through the use of his spell casting gift, he gave me the winning numbers to play on the mega million draw day, I did exactly what he instructed me to do, and I won the price tag of $756.6 million dollars. You too can stand the chance to win millions of dollars by contacting him
Anna • Jan 7, 2024 at 11:40 pm
I guess the exact same word as my opener every single day, and this past summer, it happened to be the Wordle! It happens. Still using that word, so it will never happen again, but it was fun.
Trina • Jan 1, 2024 at 9:25 am
I absolutely have done it twice! I shared it on Facebook on 12/08/23. I can’t post the snapshot here but would let you see it if you don’t believe me.
Chan • Apr 9, 2024 at 9:37 am
Did u do it in first 2 guesses? really hard to believe
Will McCrum • Dec 25, 2023 at 9:00 pm
I’ll have you know that I hit the word ‘grail’ on the FIRST try some weeks ago. Yes, it happens, so how dare you besmirch those of us who pull it off!
Elaine • Jun 4, 2024 at 9:31 pm
Don’t know if you’ll see this as I’m about 5 months out of this discussion. I have 3 “ones”. 11/24/22 (Thanksgiving) FEAST
8/30/23. AUDI0
9/20/23. SNARE
Feast was a word I assumed referred to Thanksgiving dinner. Audio and Snare are two of my frequent starter words. I resent him saying that if you’ve gotten a one you’ve cheated.
I also have 60 “twos”. Yes I keep track of them. I’ve been playing since around February 2021. It’s not always good luck. It’s called being a good player! 😉 I do remember the word being GRAIL, and I’m sure that you didn’t cheat! Keep on playing!
FD • Dec 23, 2023 at 8:05 pm
I have ten 2’s now and one first guess. No cheating, no lies. Just luck – but alas that has never extended to the Lottery : /
Dave • Nov 30, 2023 at 10:57 am
I’ve played since inception (and track it) and get it in 2 7% of the time, 3 25%, 4 39%, 5 19%, 6 9%. The rest is either missed or did not do that day. But don’t agree with the original article (that you are a liar). a) I use the same word to start every day (never switched ALINE for whatever reason. My wife has gotten it in 1 twice. Yes with ADIEU and then she changed to another standard word and got lucky again. No laying or cheating but pure luck. Still waiting for ALINE to be the word!
Helen • Nov 17, 2023 at 8:33 am
I have more respect for those not looking at lists of previous words. Getting it in4 with no list checking is darn good.
Don • Nov 15, 2023 at 9:07 am
I solved Wordle in “2” four days in one week. Not by cheating – just by being seriously lucky that week. Should have bought a Powerball ticket!
Kenneth Terrell • Nov 16, 2023 at 3:57 pm
Yes, indeed. With an occasional lucky first round, and by paying attention, and gravitating toward what I call “good wordle words”, I get a “2” about 2.5% of the time or 20-30 times in 1,000 games.
I also challenge what the commenter has to say about getting a “1”. If you are like me and use the same starting word every game, you will score a “1” eventually. Me? I have one “1” on my scoreboard. I understand that, on a given day, there will be approximately 10,000 to 12,000 words in the wordle lexicon. (I got my “1” after about 4,000 games, so I was rather lucky, but not extraordinarily so. The thesis, abandoned by the author was supposed to be what personality traits can you discern about the player from the scores he/she gets. I suggest that having a “1” score suggest that the player is steady, patient, and reliable.
Eileen • Nov 8, 2023 at 11:02 am
FYI..I actually got a Wordle first line, and almost had a heart attack. It was “pause”, and I literally just used it for a 3 vowel word that I had used before. I bought a lottery ticket that day and won $2.00. So, just to let you and others know, not all of us getting it in one try are lying or cheating. Happy Wordling!!
Eileen😁
geoffrey brooks • Nov 6, 2023 at 10:01 am
I did it in one on November 3 2022
started with my usual word
have screen shot of November 2 with same word
sister and I would send screen shots
Mark A McGee • Oct 25, 2023 at 11:59 am
Wordle is best when played using only your mind and your vocabulary. No “wordlebot” or other cheating methods. I’ve played 151 consecutive games, losing only once early on. My average score including the one loss is 3.874 and my current winning streak is in the 120s. I’m proud of that, and don’t need to compare it to others who have “help”.
Beaj • Oct 14, 2023 at 10:11 am
Great analysis but you failed to factor in the days when the first letter combinations result in more possibilities than can be solved in 6 tries (XAXXE being the biggest culprit). At this point it’s just a guessing game. I don’t feel bad when I result in 5 or 6 on those days.
Fiona Fleming • Oct 10, 2023 at 7:23 pm
Sometimes I am confounded by American English. I had only being playing Wordle for a few days and I got it in 2 (guessing AUDIO after ADIEU), and I only guessed ADIEU because it had just been a Crossword answer to the Clue ‘many people’s favourite first guess in Wordle’. It was literally dumb luck!
Yourmom • Sep 10, 2023 at 1:11 am
This just means you’re good at distracting yourself.
Jeffery L Boyd • Sep 5, 2023 at 3:05 am
I have gotten it in one. That’s because my first word is always the same so eventually my first word happened to be the puzzle solution.
KDoying • Aug 28, 2023 at 9:30 am
I have played Wordle 438 times now. I have one 1 and twenty-five 2s. I don’t cheat and your theory is now debunked.
Marty • Sep 24, 2023 at 4:17 pm
Here here. I guessed “agile” or “alien” a few month ago and got lucky. The past 10 days all were 3 or under. 3 two guessers. No genius. Just lucky and good looking.
Henry • Aug 17, 2023 at 7:28 pm
Wordle is spoilt by the use of American slang/spellings
DONUT is a recent Wordle which no self respecting Brit would ever guess.
Please NYT bear this in mind.
Nikole • Sep 22, 2023 at 11:48 am
What? So donut doesn’t pass the British smell test? Well what about humor? Neighbor?
Phil • Aug 13, 2023 at 12:56 am
Been playing about 9 months and have never lost. I forgot to play 2x; once when on a business trip to India and the other time when particularly busy with running my firm.
I never cheat and always start with a different word that has at least two vowels. Got it in 1 guess once with ‘AMBER”. I always play ‘hard mode’ though I did not know what that was until a friend told me – even though I do not have it turned on in the game.
My average with self-imposed hard mode is 3.92. Until I figured out my own system and used more logic I have 13 games at 6, though none in a long time. I try to play in the morning when I’m rested, though the urge to play after midnight sometimes still wins. 🙂 I usually solve in 3 or 4, sometimes 5. More 3’s than 5’s. More 2’s than 6’s.
Bob • Jul 20, 2023 at 6:41 pm
Ridiculous to turn down a six if that’s where you are; presumably you’re not interested in the general streak. That continues whatever your successful score was.
And judging by your thumbnail, you’re not even playing in hard mode so I think that disqualifies you from having a go at anyone else’s score. Yes, perhaps you should get it in <4 in easy mode.
Leigh Merryday Porch • Jul 5, 2023 at 7:39 am
Former English teacher, published author, and avid Wordler here to say that Toby Russell has a bright future with words. Great little article that made me curious enough to click on its author and predict I’ll see his name again one day. Keep writing. You have talent.
Jane • Jul 1, 2023 at 4:55 pm
Hey! I got Wordle in one quite recently, and I’d only played less than a dozen times. the word was “ABOUT.”
It can happen. It was blind luck. I didn’t cheat; I always start with a different word and usually I think about it a bit beforehand. But I certainly didn’t cheat, use any kind of system or look anything up, nor did I get the answer from someone (what kind of fun would that be?).
Jude • May 18, 2023 at 6:34 pm
I screen shot the last word, it doesnt always mean the vowels will repeat, at 98% on 300 games played, p.s. all you that use a repetitive word with s in, it hardly ever appears, e and a are the most, t r d, as a typist there is a reason the most popular letters in the english language are on the left of the keyboard x i play at or soon after midnight, so no way i can cheat x cheating is only making you feel like a cheat x and. . I use x as a missing letter, surprising how that helps!!! Consonants help more than vowels, if i get one vowel in first word, change the second with no green or yellow, tottally diff word, better law of averages then go for 3! Hope this helps xxxxx
Amy • May 2, 2023 at 8:23 am
Last Thanksgiving, I thought the word might have something to do with the holiday. I guessed FEAST and got it in one. In my mind, though, I gave myself a 1.5. I was disappointed that the answer to puzzle 666 wasn’t DEVIL or SATAN.
Nick • May 1, 2023 at 6:55 am
I use irony and sauce (or cause ) as openers. This gets the 5 vowels out of the way, confirms or infirms plurals. This often leads to 2 to 4 correct letters, and on two occasions wordle in one. Your accusations of cheating reflect only your inability to adhere rigourously to a tactic. Furthermore, you give up after 5 attempts to keep your your win percentage high. I bet your best winning streak is 20 or lower. There is no glory in withdrawing. True Wordle players accept defeat.
Mateo Hunter • Apr 14, 2023 at 1:14 pm
Wordle 664 1/6
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Paul • Mar 19, 2024 at 2:14 am
Wordle 664 2/6
⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
G A U N T
T H I E F
Tim • Apr 10, 2023 at 11:04 am
I once got a wordle in 1 once. I did not cheat. I start with a word that is a word I read or an object I’ve just seen that is 5 letters. I looked at a heat register and type ‘grate’ and voila!
Michael • Apr 2, 2023 at 10:07 am
I find averaging the number of tries too simplistic and does not show how well the “game within the game” is played. Most solutions depend on when you get the correct letters in the right spaces.
I have my own system to judge my performance on each particular game.
*Start with 100 and deduct one for each missed letter throughout the game.
*Then add 0.5 for each letter in the right spot on the first line. (No repeat adding)
*Plus 0.4 on the second line
*0.3 on the third
*0.2 on the fourth
*0.1 on the fifth
Yes, it’s my system for myself. But the wider range of scores tells me how well I played, rather than how lucky I was.
Deborah Wright • Apr 1, 2023 at 6:44 pm
Sir, a cleverly written ‘piece’ but with all due respect I think you are totally wrong when you write “Wordle is also a word game, so if you have a broader vocabulary you may find it easier to come up with likely guesses.”
As an author for grammatical booklets, I think the wider knowledge of the English language makes it more difficult to find the ‘right’ word; i.e., price, prize, pride, etc.
However, enjoyed your opinion and will share with my friends in the Cook Islands!
Gail White • Mar 26, 2023 at 1:14 pm
I got it in one twice and did not cheat at all. The first time was a word I used over and over as my first word “Saint”! Then I changed my first word which was “Least” and since it was Thanksgiving week, the word “Feast” came to me so I used it. I was excited and amazed each time. Good article!
Lydia S • Feb 4, 2023 at 9:19 am
Sorry, I am here to say I got wordle 3x in one try and I did NOT cheat. The first time I was using the same starter word over and over again, and it finally hit: TRAIN. The second time, I was feeling lazy, and I typed SLOTH, it happened to be the right word. That was me winning the wordle lottery. The 3rd time, Thanksgiving was around the corner, and all I could think about was food, so I typed in FEAST, and bam, I got it. Crazy, but all true.
Paul Barron • Feb 6, 2023 at 10:19 am
I have got it twice in one try, in two week period and have a witness to prove it!
Carolinda • Feb 11, 2023 at 2:33 pm
I’m with you. In 310 games I’ve gotten it in the first word five times. Always purely a guess.
ST • Mar 5, 2023 at 12:40 pm
You were very lucky…so what is your AVERAGE score?
RobinNashville • Jan 14, 2023 at 9:18 am
Terrific piece.
Ulyss Rubey • Jan 13, 2023 at 1:58 am
I’m on a run of 14 4s in a row. I’ve had a few 5s, never 6 or fail. A good half of those 4s came from picking the wrong one of two remaining possible right words. It’s bad luck. I will eventually start getting more 3s again, as I have in the past. Its a coin flip. With minimum study and care most anyone can get a 4 consistently. No one can get 3.0 or less average without cheating- IMO. 3.5 average is a good goal to shoot for– I consider any computer or internet assistance that does anymore than one can (with time) eventually do with a dictionary, cheating. It’s not a complex enough game for intelligence to have much to do with scores. Patience and observation, maybe, not intellect.
Steve • Feb 23, 2023 at 10:32 am
It’s actually not necessarily luck – you may be setting yourself up to end up in those situations (getting 3 is achievable most days). I would review the Wordle Bot analysis of your guesses. Unless you’re at 99 there is room for improvement.
ST • Mar 5, 2023 at 12:42 pm
Actually, getting 4 is achievable MOST days, although 3 is fairly common.
Draidor • Jan 6, 2023 at 3:46 am
I start every day with STARE. When it finally comes up as the hidden word i will get it in one guess. 🙂
Craig Sheumaker • Mar 29, 2023 at 7:54 pm
STARE is my start word too. “S” is the most common first letter and “E” is the most common last letter as well as the most common letter among all words used so far. And, TAR are among the five most common letters.
Michael Lorrey • Dec 29, 2022 at 10:34 am
My starting word is SLATE, which was the wordle word a few weeks ago, so I got it in one guess.
Elaine Hadden Golladay • Dec 29, 2022 at 9:37 am
Feeling a bit proud this well-written article came from my alma mater (class of ‘72). Good job!
Anyway, can anyone explain to me why my win percentage never increases when the number of games I’ve played, does? I have been at 97% for months and months and it seems that should inch up the more games I play.
Adrian • Dec 26, 2022 at 11:44 am
I also got dream in one.
Bizarrely, the day before I got two rows of nothing and the whole word (photo) on the third!
No cheating.
Always the element of chance.
Wish I was as lucky with the lottery!!🤓
Francesca B • Dec 23, 2022 at 2:05 am
At the risk of upsetting our American cousins I feel strongly that English spelling should take precedence in the Wordle. It was invented by an Englishman after all.
The Wordle sprang from a generous impulse which I feel the New York Times would do well to emulate.
Matt • Oct 13, 2023 at 3:44 am
Come on, really?
I’d guess that more Americans play Wordle than Brits and it is owned by an American company. Plus, we are more familiar with American English than they are with British.
It wasn’t invented by an Englishman by the way, Josh Wardle is Welsh.
Serena • Dec 22, 2022 at 7:34 am
I got the word catch first try. Just luck. I was elated.
Dayle • Dec 21, 2022 at 1:05 pm
Well this article is absolute bs. An average score of 5 is not a failure lol. So much of this game is luck. Lucking up on the right 5 letter word with the only vowels being O and A for example. There are lots of words. If you guess the word and get only a “phew” you’re doing good.
Paula Maginn • Jul 11, 2023 at 5:26 am
I agree with you. It’s a game! Sometimes you’re just unlucky and there are just too many options. No need to be so judgemental about anything lower than a 4 for goodness sake!
Vicki • Dec 20, 2022 at 1:51 pm
I, like others in these comments, got the correct word once using “stead”. No lying or cheating. Sometimes I just start typing letters and see what words develop. That is what happened with “stead”. Other times I usually pick the first 5 letter word that appears on the TV. Using the same word to start each game became boring for me.
MJS • Jan 31, 2023 at 9:53 am
Beginning about 80% with “least” is boring and unimaginative. It’s more anagramatic and indicative of someone who just can’t stand losing
Steven • Dec 20, 2022 at 11:31 am
I did get Wordle in one yesterday. The word was slate. I often use skate but decided to go with slate. Bingo.
Damon B. • Dec 6, 2022 at 6:12 am
It should read “at most 4”.
John Brame • Dec 5, 2022 at 2:37 pm
Got the word dream in one, no cheating just luck.
Julie McDiarmid • Dec 20, 2022 at 12:06 am
Same here, can’t remember the word but I got it in one by pure luck.
Skand Bhargava • Nov 21, 2022 at 10:15 pm
I think if 75% times you get right in 4 or less attempts, you should be happy with yourself. If it is 80% or above, you are really good and have boasting rights.
RB • Nov 11, 2022 at 9:35 am
There actually isn’t much of a “code” to crack with this game. Just consider the law of averages and what a simple Game Show like “Wheel of Fortune “ gives its contestants as some of the most common letters in the English language to use to solve for the final puzzle.
Then take a look at your normal QWERTY keyboard and start hammering away with some good 5 letter starting words.
Of course you will eventually get tripped up by the natural tendencies to forget that not all words begin or end with consonants, words have repeating letters, some words have more vowels than you thought possible, and then there are those words that you just flat out have never even heard another human being use as a participle of speech!
But my thoughts are, that if you playing the damn game daily, you are at least learning something. And if your scores are mostly 4s, sometimes 5s, with a decent smattering of 3s and any occasional improvement higher (without cheating), you are alright in my book, and a mostly decent addition to our evolutionary food chain.
johnjohn • Nov 7, 2022 at 6:46 pm
¿¡¿Brunch with Madeleine Albright?!? Aim higher, Toby. Whether or not you hit “submit”, do keep writing. The article was bright, insightful and engaging. Assuming it is some sort of school publication, you cast a fine reflection on The Blue & Gold. I’ll keep an eye out for future articles.
Eric • Nov 2, 2022 at 2:38 pm
Whoever wrote this overestimates their intellect, I think. My fiancé with a JD has an average of 4.4, and I have two degrees in economics with an average of 4.09.
Yesterday at 2 I had the 3 middle letters, but ended at 6 simply bc there were many possibilities
Julie • Jul 4, 2023 at 1:02 am
Anticipate possibilities and use words with as many of them as possible:
Hunch, punch, bunch, munch, lunch.
Use one of your guesses for eliminating possibilities, like plumb.
Alison • Oct 29, 2022 at 2:10 am
On 3 August at 10.58 I started Wordle.
I put in youth. I have no system and just start with a word that I think of a I open the game. I got it right first time.
I did not cheat. I hadn’t spoken to anyone else before hand.
So, it is possible to get it in one go without cheating.
danielle morency • Nov 28, 2022 at 9:16 pm
That also happened to me TWICE, so I for one, believe that sometimes, you are just lucky.
Kim pugh • Oct 20, 2022 at 5:30 am
I got awful in one a few months back…I didn’t cheat I found the word listed in my nephews spellings. He was over the moon I got it in one 😀
Scott • Oct 17, 2022 at 12:31 pm
Love how persnickity some folks get with their take on Toby and the game. Christopher and what he shared on computer averages should probably be taken most seriously. Also the person who mentioned the ‘ully’ word…yes, it is possible to lose the game when there are numerous possibilities like when I lost with ‘parer’, the only word left on guess #7 for me. My only loss in almost 200 games. And, no Toby, 5 ain’t awful…
red • Sep 30, 2022 at 10:55 am
I have “failed” three times and each was a word the ended in e and had another known vowel in the middle and several potential words that fit the profile. I just happened to choose the wrong ones. Other times I’ve chosen the right ones. C’est la vie!
Roger Truesdale • Sep 24, 2022 at 12:04 pm
Today I chose grape as my first word. Don’t give me bs that there a greater percentage of one letter being correct over another letter. I don’t believe it. It took me 4. It’s a crap shoot.
Peter • Sep 16, 2022 at 7:31 pm
I changed my phone and started a new streak that is currently 19@ 100% with an average of 3.27 that includes a woeful 6. And 3 @ 2. I lived in Canberra which has a very high average. My technique is to just use the first word that comes into my head. Due to gout, this morning it was HURTS. I immediately saw HUT and this gave me CHUTE. Solved in 2. I play scrabble and do crosswords so I suppose this enhances the capability. CANBERRA is also 80% public servants so plenty of time for puzzles. 🙂 at 68 these activities keep the brain Agile which after 40 years in the business of identifying, analysing and solving problems is critical to maintain well being. 😀
Meg Halls • Sep 4, 2022 at 2:14 pm
Yes Toby, luck is involved. If, for example, you determine by the second guess
that the word has to end as _ully, you have four guesses. You might try
“fully”, “sully”, and “bully” and only land on “gully” at the last try.
Or, you might just run out of guesses and lose your streak.
You could determine that the word will end in __ight , on the first try, and
not guess the right word. Streak done. Bad luck.
I have found that given two choices, say “bully” and “gully”, the rught answer is likely to be the one with fewer negative connotations. That’s probably not a rule one should adhere to, though. Probably not a rule at all.
Robin • Feb 5, 2023 at 12:49 am
If I have 2 guesses or more left & face a situation like you describe with several possible words with the only the difference being one letter, I just make a word of those consonants as my guess. The one that shows up as being a part of the puzzle gives you the answer. Or, if you couldn’t use all the letters in one word & have one left over, if none of the letters in the made-up word solve the game, your leftover will. If you didn’t miss any possibilities, that is.
Bob • Aug 24, 2023 at 6:20 pm
You can’t do this in”expert” mode.
Christopher • Sep 1, 2022 at 12:41 am
Computers have shown that the best possible average score is 3.6. Some 3’s are skill and some are luck. Anyone claiming 3 half the time cheats. Tobie
Ulyss Rubeyp • May 1, 2023 at 10:21 pm
I disagree. I don’t thinkbthe computer used previously used words to weed out the possible wrong answers. My average is better than 3.6.
I believe the second word is where all the advantage to be had is. And it’s selection is not easy. I have never had a 6 or failed to solve. 5s are rare.
More 3s than 4s, and an occasional 2. Averaging around ~3.4
jane • Aug 24, 2022 at 6:57 am
I got Wordle in one try the first time I played. I’m a musician, and the word was music.
Don’t become a cynic at your age, you have much time Tobie. Magic happens.
Interesting article!
Pete in Sheffield • Aug 23, 2022 at 3:01 am
After many months, I guessed correctly on the first go. It was from berknation which gives user a random number and word. No help given.
Eileen Goodman • Aug 18, 2022 at 9:45 am
This was fun to read! I am an honest Wordle player. I guessed the word “cause” or “pause” in one..I forget which one. I was so astounded, I went to buy a lottery ticket, and won $2.00- lol. I, honestly, felt like I had won the lottery when those matching squares revealed the first word I chose. So, not all who get it are cheaters..for the record.
Jerry • Aug 14, 2022 at 1:15 am
My first word, every day, is “float”. I do just fine with it, and one day the Wordle was indeed FLOAT. My score that day was one, and I did not cheat. Also, I recently scored a 2 two days running, and I can’t imagine doing that with a start word like “adieu”.
Marc • Aug 12, 2022 at 2:18 am
Ultimately the game involves a fair amount of luck. Anyone who takes it seriously is kidding themselves. I’ve solved several in 2 moves because my first guess luckily producted some letters that were useful. I’ve also had some 6’s because the letters available had a half dozen possible words, any of which could be “the” word. It’s just luck if you pick the correct one sooner versus later. Also I know I could have a slightly lower score if I wanted to invest a lot more time analyzing all the possible words. I don’t. I do it for fun.
Helena • Aug 4, 2022 at 5:06 pm
I DID get it in one a few days back. I’m not lying. Sheer fluke.
Joel • Jul 29, 2022 at 8:33 am
I think Toby did an outstanding job in writing this article. He brought levity to light that this is actually only a game. Hurry for Toby. The only thing that I would suggest is that Toby should change the spelling of his name to Tobie. Have a great day. Joel
Liam Horner • Oct 30, 2022 at 7:02 am
What about changing your name to Joell?🤣
Lori • Jul 16, 2022 at 1:14 am
Hey Toby,
Your “Wordle” expose is an enjoyable and entertaining read. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on how many guesses it should take! Loved your ‘clever’ ‘place’ of ‘words’ in your ‘final’ ‘lines.’
Liz • Jul 8, 2022 at 11:59 am
I got wordle in 1 with the word MOIST . Lol
Bill P • Jun 26, 2022 at 11:55 am
There’s nothing wrong with a score of 6. I’d rather solve 100% of the puzzles with any score than worry about how lucky I am with my first 1-2 attempts to get it done quickly.
Bruce • Jun 17, 2022 at 12:42 pm
So sad that you feel more than four is a disappointment. Silly me, I thought the idea was to solve the puzzle. Some targets are manageable through careful analysis of prior lines. That’s the challenge. A bonus if he successful solution is achieved while enjoying a cappuccino and biscotti.
Dan • Jun 16, 2022 at 10:24 am
I got ATONE in one guess without cheating, thank you very much! It’s simply a starter I use often. To imply I must have cheated is not honorable.
Wordle 360 1/6
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
Mabel • Jun 15, 2022 at 12:30 pm
Does the first word submitted count as a guess?
BIKRAM • Aug 11, 2022 at 5:23 am
One is pyre coincidence. I was thinking yesterday if my sister whom I list recently and I was doing wordle about to put CLAIM when I thought let’s CLING to the memories so I changed it to cling and it went green. Eerie yes cheating no.
Diana • Sep 17, 2022 at 1:52 am
I got it in one. Was shocked. Thought it was a mistake as I was new to the game. Prayed about forgiveness the night before and so I suppose why I picked ‘atone’ as my word. Not a usual vocab word for me. Felt symbolic to me 🤷🏻♀️.
Diana • Sep 17, 2022 at 1:56 am
Pretty special 💜
Andrew • Jun 6, 2022 at 9:24 am
I got the wordle answer that was “olive” on the first try without cheating because I always start with the word olive because it’s my most hated of all foods.
phinn • May 6, 2022 at 10:21 am
toby, this is a very informative and helpful article, and the fact that you are a ginger takes nothing away from it.
Joyce Birnie • Apr 27, 2022 at 8:55 am
Surely route was a stupid second guess – it doesn’t include the “S” that you already know is in the word. Similarly, the example given low down in the article of trying “chain” “cheer” and “chose” before landing on the correct “chant”. The first guess would give “cha” in the correct positions, so following this with “cheer” is just plain stupid. If Toby Russell is as expert at the game as writing this article might suggest, then it would seem that he puts more thought into actually playing the game than he does into writing articles about it.
James Parker • Jun 25, 2022 at 12:26 am
The guesses for “chant” are even worse than that. “chain” has four correct letters, with only one out of place. The answer must match “chan_”, which leads automatically to “chant”.
Don • Jul 2, 2022 at 4:46 pm
To be fair he didn’t specify which order he tried the first three guesses… just that they were the first three.