Hi, I’m Ray Thomas. I play Letter Boxed every day, and over time, I’ve figured out what works. If you’re struggling to solve the puzzle or aiming to get those perfect two-word finishes, you’re in the right place.
I’ve broken down how I approach each game—step by step—so you can apply the same strategy and improve your solutions.
Understand the Rules Completely
Before we dive in, let’s be sure we’re on the same page.
You’re given 12 letters, arranged on the edges of a square with three letters on each side. You must form words that are at least three letters long. You can’t use two letters from the same side in a row.
The last letter of one word must become the first letter of the next. And you have to use all 12 letters at least once to win.
The fewer words you use, the better. A perfect solve means using just two words.
Start With the Hard Letters
This is always my first move. When I open a new puzzle, I immediately look for unusual or difficult letters—Q, X, Z, J. These are the ones that usually trip players up at the end. Instead of saving them for last, I plan to use them early.
Ask yourself: Can I build a word around this rare letter? Can it be a suffix or part of a longer word? Solving becomes much easier once the hardest letters are out of the way.
Look for Long Words That Use Multiple Letters
Once I’ve spotted the tricky characters, I start searching for long, efficient words—ones that clear out five, six, or even more letters in one go.
I look for common suffixes like -ing, -tion, -ment. I watch for scientific or compound words like automation, integrating, or chemisorption. These give me the best shot at covering ground quickly.
Even if you don’t get a perfect solve, starting with a strong, multi-letter word puts you in a great position.
Plan for Flow
Each word must end with a letter that starts the next. As I test out my first word, I always think one step ahead.
Take the last letter of your first word. What valid next word can start with it and still use your remaining letters? This helps avoid dead ends later. You’re not just picking words—you’re building a chain.
Build a Word Chain That Covers All 12 Letters
Now comes the real challenge. I aim to build a chain of two or three words that cover all 12 letters.
I ask: Which letters have I used so far? What’s left? What transitions are still possible? If I’m down to one or two stray letters, I explore word swaps or different opening words. A slight adjustment often solves the entire puzzle.
Test Two-Word Solutions
Once I’ve found a working chain, I see if I can shorten it. Two-word solves aren’t always possible, but they often hide in plain sight.
I look at the ending letter of the first word and the starting letter of the second. If they connect smoothly, and all 12 letters are used, I’ve got the cleanest solution possible.
Sometimes, I rebuild the whole chain just to chase that perfect two-word loop. And it’s worth the effort when it works.
A Real Example
Let’s say the puzzle gives me:
Top: A B C
Right: D E F
Bottom: G H I
Left: J K L
Right away, I notice strong connectors like C, D, and G. I might try a long word like “Backing” which covers B, A, C, K, I, N, G.
Now I need a follow-up word that starts with G and uses the rest: J, L, D, E, H, F. If I can find something like “Jelford” (hypothetically), I’ve covered everything in two moves. If not, I tweak the first word and try again.
Final Advice
Here’s what I’ve learned after hundreds of puzzles.
Think ahead. Every word must set up the next one. Track your letters. Whether mentally or on paper, know what you’ve used and what’s left.
Use long words early. They save time and reduce the number of moves. Avoid dead ends. Don’t leave yourself stuck with unplayable letters. And most importantly, keep practicing.
The more you play, the faster your brain starts recognizing the right patterns.
Letter Boxed is simple at first glance, but it becomes a deep, satisfying puzzle when you approach it with strategy. If you follow these steps and play with intention, you’ll solve faster, win more often, and maybe even start hitting those two-word solves daily.
You’ve got this.