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ScoreWords

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Place the day's 24 letters on a 5x5 grid and score every word they spell.

Play ScoreWords

on scorewords.com

ScoreWords #234 for 2026-10-26 on a desktop: a revealed mystery letter E to place, seven letters already on the 5x5 grid and the row of upcoming letters

ScoreWords is a daily word grid puzzle. Everyone gets the same 24 letters, one at a time, and places each for good on a 5x5 grid. Words of three to five letters count in any straight line, across, down, diagonally and backwards, and the last empty cell takes any letter you choose.

About ScoreWords

ScoreWords gives every player the same letters each day and an empty 5 by 5 grid. The letters arrive one at a time and you decide where each one goes. Once a letter is placed it stays, apart from an undo for the last move. Every fourth letter is a mystery letter, shown as a question mark in the upcoming row. It is already fixed for the day, but you only see it when its turn comes.

After 24 letters the grid has one empty cell left. You pick any letter for it, and then the board is scored. Words must be three to five letters long and can run in any of the eight straight directions: across, down, diagonally, and backwards along each of those. A three-letter word earns 3 points, a four-letter word 4 and a five-letter word 10. A shorter word that sits inside a longer one on the same line does not score, so the game lists those separately.

The puzzle is numbered and dated at the top of the page. Number 1 was played on 7 March 2026, and the letters for each day are generated from that day's date, so the run of letters is new every day. The result screen shows your total, every word found and a breakdown by length, and a Share button copies your score and a small emoji grid. A streak counter keeps track of the days you have finished in a row.

It is free in the browser, with no account and no ads. A round takes five to ten minutes. It suits players who like to plan ahead in letter placement games such as Sqword, and the mystery letters add a little gamble to each choice.

How to play ScoreWords

  1. Look at the letter shown under Place this letter and at the upcoming row below the grid.
  2. Tap an empty cell of the 5x5 grid to place the letter there. It stays put unless you undo it right away.
  3. Plan for the mystery letters. Every fourth letter is shown as a question mark and is revealed only on its turn.
  4. Keep building words of three to five letters in any straight line, including diagonals and words read backwards.
  5. When all 24 letters are down, choose any letter for the last empty cell.
  6. Read your score and word list, then use Share to copy your result.

Screenshots

A finished ScoreWords #234 board on a phone: a full 5x5 letter grid scoring 33 points with ten words found, among them HORN, ICES and SEES
The ScoreWords logo: a cartoon pencil holding an S tile

Tips

  • Keep common letters such as E, S and R where several lines cross, as one letter can then count in two or three words.
  • A five-letter word is worth 10 points, more than three short words. Aim at least one row or column at a full word.
  • Leave the wildcard cell where it can finish your best five-letter line.

Questions

How big is the ScoreWords grid?

It is 5 by 5. You place 24 letters and choose the 25th yourself.

Is it the same puzzle for everyone?

Yes. The letters come from the date, so every player gets the same run on the same day.

Which directions do words count in?

All eight straight directions: across, down, both diagonals and each of those read backwards. Words must be three to five letters long.

What are the question marks?

Mystery letters. Every fourth letter is hidden until its turn, though it is already fixed for the day.

When does a new ScoreWords puzzle come out?

At midnight by your device's clock, since the game picks the puzzle by your local date.

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