Wormle

About Wormle

Wormle is a small browser word game made by Rae McLean, who says on the site that the idea came after a co-worker shared his hangman-style game, Hang Five. It is free, needs no account and keeps your streak and statistics in the browser.

Each day brings one numbered grid (game 339 fell on 3 October 2026). The worm carries a string of letters in a set order, shown at the bottom of the screen. As you move its head through the grid with the arrow keys or the mouse, the letters fill the cells behind it. The goal is to wind the worm so that every row of the grid spells a word, and all the words share a theme you have to work out.

The first move is made for you. If a row goes wrong, you tap the worm to back it up, and if you are stuck you can use a hint to reveal a letter. When you finish, the game compares your result with other players that day, including who finished first and fastest.

What sets it apart is the mix of word skill and route planning: you are not choosing letters, only where they fall. It suits people who like themed puzzles such as Strands and enjoy a bit of spatial thinking. An archive lets you play every earlier game without affecting your streak.

How to play Wormle

1. Open wormle.com and start today's numbered game.
2. Look at the letters shown at the bottom: the worm will lay them down in that order.
3. Move the worm with the arrow keys or mouse so the letters fill each row.
4. Make every row spell a word that fits the hidden theme.
5. Tap the worm to back up after a mistake, or use a hint to reveal a letter.

Tips

• Read ahead in the letter string and split it into words before you move; row lengths tell you where each word must end.
• Guess the theme from the first word, then use it to check where the next word breaks.
• Plan the turns at the row ends early, since the worm cannot cross itself.

Questions