COTS to POOP.
A reusable word-ladder guide, rather than a dated daily puzzle. Every move below changes exactly one letter.
A shortest path from COTS.
COTS reaches POOP in 3 moves. The list includes 4 words because the starting position costs no move.
- StartCOTSThe starting word; no move used
- Move 1COOSReplace T with O in position 3
- Move 2COOPReplace S with P in position 4
- Move 3POOPReplace C with P in position 1
There is exactly one shortest route in this checked word list.
Which first moves work?
One next word keeps you on a shortest route from COTS: COOS.
The table lists all 18 accepted one-letter neighbors. “Moves remaining” starts after that first move. “Total via this word” includes it, so you can compare that choice with the 3-move minimum.
| Next word | Moves remaining | Total via this word | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOTS | 3 | 4 | Longer route |
| CATS | 4 | 5 | Longer route |
| COBS | 3 | 4 | Longer route |
| CODS | 3 | 4 | Longer route |
| COGS | 3 | 4 | Longer route |
| CONS | 3 | 4 | Longer route |
| COOS | 2 | 3 | Shortest route |
| COPS | 3 | 4 | Longer route |
| COTE | 4 | 5 | Longer route |
| COWS | 3 | 4 | Longer route |
| CUTS | 4 | 5 | Longer route |
| DOTS | 4 | 5 | Longer route |
| HOTS | 4 | 5 | Longer route |
| JOTS | 4 | 5 | Longer route |
| LOTS | 4 | 5 | Longer route |
| POTS | 4 | 5 | Longer route |
| ROTS | 4 | 5 | Longer route |
| TOTS | 4 | 5 | Longer route |
Why 3 moves is the minimum.
COTS differs from POOP in 3 letter positions, so any route needs at least 3 changes. This route meets that lower bound.
The solver searches the checked word graph in distance order. It reaches every word one move away before trying two moves, then continues until it reaches POOP. The minimum applies to this word list; another game or dictionary may accept different connections.
Our Easy label uses distance only: up to 5 moves is Easy, 6 is Moderate, 7 is Tricky, 8 is Hard, and 9 or more is Expert. It does not measure how familiar you will find each word.
Try COTS with a different target or read the verification method.
More 3-move ladders.
These starting words have the same shortest distance to POOP in the checked list.