Wordle is a popular online word guessing game that has taken the internet by storm. The game involves guessing a five-letter word by entering different combinations of letters.
The game provides feedback by highlighting the letters that match the correct answer. The game has quickly become a favorite pastime for many, and players are always on the lookout for ways to improve their gameplay.
One of the most important aspects of the game is choosing the right starting word. The starting word sets the tone for the entire game and can greatly impact the player’s chances of success.
There are many different strategies for choosing the best starting word, and the internet is full of tips and tricks to help players improve their gameplay. In this article, we will explore the best four words to start Wordle, based on expert analysis and player feedback.
Strategic Approaches
Starting Word Strategies
When it comes to Wordle, having a good starting strategy can make a big difference in your chances of winning.
Some players suggest starting with a vowel-heavy word like “ADIEU” or “QUERY” as these words have a higher chance of containing the most common letters in the English language. Other players suggest using words that have a good mix of vowels and consonants, such as “SLICE,” “TRIED,” or “CRANE.”
Here are some options for starting words in Wordle that strategically use a wide range of vowels and common consonants. Remember, the goal is to get those yellow and green squares to light up!
Option 1: All the Vowels
- ADIEU: This word covers all five vowels in one shot.
- AUDIO: Another strong choice with the major vowels.
Option 2: Focusing on Consonants
- STARE: Features some of the most frequent consonants along with two vowels.
- CRANE: Another good option with common consonants.
Letter Frequency Analysis
Analyzing letter frequency can also be a helpful strategy when starting a Wordle game.
According to a recent analysis by WIRED, the most common letters in the English language are E, A, R, I, O, T, N, and S. By starting with a word that contains one or more of these letters, you increase your chances of guessing the correct letters in the Wordle puzzle.
Pattern Recognition
Another strategy for starting a Wordle game is to look for patterns in the puzzle.
For example, if the first letter in the puzzle is “S,” you might want to try guessing words that start with “SP,” “ST,” or “SN.” Similarly, if the second letter is “H,” you might want to try guessing words that contain “TH” or “SH.”
By looking for patterns in the puzzle, you can narrow down your options and increase your chances of guessing the correct word.
Optimal Starting Words
When it comes to playing Wordle, choosing the right starting word is crucial. The following subsections highlight some of the factors that can help players pick the best starting words.
Vowel and Consonant Balance
One of the key factors to consider when choosing a starting word is the balance between vowels and consonants.
According to MIT researchers, words with a higher proportion of vowels tend to perform better in Wordle. This is because the game’s algorithm is designed to generate more words with vowels.
However, it’s important to strike a balance between vowels and consonants. If a word has too many vowels, it may limit the number of consonants that can be used in subsequent guesses. Therefore, it’s recommended to choose a word with a balanced mix of vowels and consonants.
WordleBot and Algorithm Insights
The New York Times’ WordleBot is an AI tool that can help players choose the best starting word.
The bot analyzes millions of Wordle games to identify the most common starting words and their success rates.
According to the WordleBot, some of the best starting words include “CRANE,” “SLATE,” and “STARE.” These words have a good balance of vowels and consonants and have been recommended by several experts.
Another factor to consider is the game’s algorithm. The algorithm is designed to generate words that are common in natural language. Therefore, starting words that are more common in everyday language are more likely to appear in the game.
Expert Recommendations
Several experts have shared their recommendations for the best starting words in Wordle.
Peter Norvig, a Google researcher, analyzed millions of words from Google Books to identify the most common starting letters.
According to Norvig, the letters “E,” “T,” and “A” are the most common starting letters in English words. However, this list is based on words in general, rather than Wordle answers.
Maths YouTuber Grant Sanderson calculated that “CRANE” is the best opening word in normal mode. This is because the word has a good balance of vowels and consonants and has a high probability of appearing in subsequent guesses.
Advanced Wordle Techniques
Hard Mode Tactics
When playing Wordle, some players may choose to play in “hard mode” where they are only given one guess to solve the puzzle.
To increase the chances of winning in hard mode, players should focus on selecting a starting word that has a high frequency of vowels such as “E,” “A,” or “I”.
This is because vowels are more common in English words and will increase the chances of guessing the correct word.
Second Word Selection
Another advanced technique in Wordle is selecting the second word based on the first word.
For example, if the first word contains a lot of vowels, the second word should contain more consonants. This helps to balance out the letters and increase the chances of guessing the correct word.
Additionally, players should avoid selecting a second word that contains duplicate letters as this can limit the number of possible words.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
One common mistake that players make in Wordle is selecting a starting word that is too long or too short.
A starting word that is too long can limit the number of possible words, while a starting word that is too short can make it difficult to guess the correct word. To avoid this mistake, players should aim to select a starting word that is five letters long.
Another mistake that players make is selecting a starting word that is too obscure or difficult. While it may be tempting to select a unique or challenging word, this can limit the number of possible words and make it difficult to guess the correct word. Instead, players should aim to select a starting word that is common and easy to guess.
Statistical Insights
Research on Letter Frequencies
In order to increase the chances of solving Wordle, it is important to choose the right starting word. One approach is to consider the frequency of letters in the English language.
According to research, the letter “E” is the most commonly used letter in the English language, followed by “T,” “A,” “O,” and “I.” Therefore, starting with a word that contains the letter “E” may increase the probability of guessing the correct word in fewer attempts.
Probability and Wordle
Another approach is to use probability theory to choose the best starting word.
A study conducted by WordTips found that the letter “E” has a probability of around 17% of appearing in the first position of the solution word. The letter “S” has a probability of around 10%, and the letter “R” has a probability of around 8%.
Therefore, starting with a word that contains the letters “E,” “S,” or “R” may increase the probability of guessing the correct word in fewer attempts.
It is important to note that while starting with a word that contains common consonants may increase the probability of guessing the correct word, it is not a guarantee.
The English language is complex and contains many words with uncommon letter combinations. Therefore, it is recommended to use a combination of letter frequency and probability theory to choose the best starting word for Wordle.
Community and Resources
Wordle Solver Tools
When playing Wordle, it can be helpful to use a word solver tool to help find the optimal starting words.
These tools can provide a list of possible words based on the letters entered by the player. Some popular word solver tools for Wordle include WordTips and the Cornell Department of Math.
WordTips offers a sample of 40,000 English words and suggests that the letter E appears in 21,912 words out of a possible 40,000. The Cornell Department of Math suggests the same letter E as the most common letter to use in Wordle.
It is important to note that while these tools can be helpful, they should not be relied on too heavily. Part of the fun of Wordle is the challenge of finding the right words on one’s own.
Sharing and Social Features
Wordle has become a popular game to play with friends and family. Players can share their progress and scores on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Some players also choose to share their starting words and strategies with others.
In addition to social media, there are also online communities dedicated to Wordle. The PC Gamer newsletter, for example, has a section dedicated to gaming deals and tips, including Wordle words and strategies. These communities can be a great resource for players looking to improve their Wordle skills and connect with other players.
Cultural Impact
Wordle has taken the internet by storm since its release in late 2021. The game has become so popular that it has been covered by various media outlets and has even found its way into education and art. In this section, we will explore the cultural impact of Wordle.
Media Coverage and Articles
Wordle has been covered extensively by various media outlets, including Slate, Tom’s Guide, and Wired. These articles have provided tips and tricks for playing the game, as well as insights into the game’s popularity. Some of the articles have even analyzed the most common starting words, such as E, T, and A.
Wordle in Education and Art
Wordle has also found its way into education and art.
Teachers have used the game as a fun way to teach vocabulary and spelling. Artists have also used the game as inspiration for their work.
Some artists have even created Wordle-inspired artwork, such as paintings and sculptures.
Overall, Wordle has had a significant cultural impact since its release.
It has become a popular game that has been covered by various media outlets. It has even found its way into education and art.
