How to Play Wordle: the rules, explained simply
If you are learning how to play Wordle, start with one rule: find the hidden five-letter word in six guesses. Each row tells you which letters to keep, move, or remove.
How to play Wordle in three steps
- Enter a five-letter word.
Type a valid word and press Enter. The game checks it and colours each tile.
- Read the colour clues.
Green means the letter is correct and in the right position. Yellow means it appears elsewhere. Grey means it is not in the answer, subject to repeated-letter rules.
- Use the clues in your next guess.
Keep green letters fixed, reposition yellow letters, and avoid eliminated letters. Continue until you solve the word or use all six guesses.
What do Wordle tile colours mean?
Green: correct position
The letter belongs in this exact place. Keep it there in later guesses.
Yellow: wrong position
The answer contains the letter, but not in the slot you tried.
Grey: not included
The letter is not part of the answer, or you used more copies than the answer contains.
How to play Wordle with a smart first guess
Choose a word with several common letters and avoid repeating the same letter at the start. A useful first guess helps you learn about vowels and consonants quickly. There is no single opener that guarantees a win, because the answer changes and the feedback matters more than memorising a list.
When you need more candidates, use our best Wordle starting words guide or try the Wordle solver. For word meanings and spelling, Merriam-Webster is a useful dictionary reference.
How to play Wordle in hard mode
Hard mode requires you to reuse revealed clues. Keep green letters in their confirmed positions and include yellow letters in every subsequent guess. It can make the puzzle more demanding, but it also encourages disciplined solving.
How to play Wordle: beginner mistakes to avoid
- Ignoring a yellow letter instead of moving it.
- Repeating letters that grey clues have ruled out.
- Using a guess that tests no new information.
- Forgetting that answers can contain repeated letters.
Once you know the basics, practise with Wordle Unlimited and read our Wordle tips and strategy page.