Daily Word Ladder Solution 2026-03-07: RATES → SORTS

Date: 2026-03-07

RATES → SORTS

Difficulty: Medium Goal Steps: 7 5 Letters

Today's Word Ladder puzzle connects RATES to SORTS in 7 steps. This 5-letter word puzzle challenges your vocabulary and logic skills. Can you find the shortest path?

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Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1 RATES → RACES

Change the 3rd letter T to C, turning RATES into RACES.

Step 2 RACES → RACKS

Change the 4th letter E to K, turning RACES into RACKS.

Step 3 RACKS → PACKS

Change the 1st letter R to P, turning RACKS into PACKS.

Step 4 PACKS → PARKS

Change the 3rd letter C to R, turning PACKS into PARKS.

Step 5 PARKS → PARTS

Change the 4th letter K to T, turning PARKS into PARTS.

Step 6 PARTS → PORTS

Change the 2nd letter A to O, turning PARTS into PORTS.

Step 7 PORTS → SORTS

Change the 1st letter P to S, turning PORTS into SORTS.

Puzzle Insights

Change positions: pos 1: 2, pos 2: 1, pos 3: 2, pos 4: 2. Most-changed position: 1, 3, 4 (2).

Change sequence: 3, 4, 1, 3, 4, 2, 1.

Letter mix: V→V 1, V→C 1, C→V 0, C→C 5.

Word stats: 8 words, 9 unique letters. Start/target share 1 position.

Try It Before You Reveal the Path

Cover the steps and work from both RATES and SORTS first. This ladder needs 7 moves, and the endpoints already share 1 letter position—so a useful move does not always look immediately closer to the target.

The recorded route changes position 3 from T to C first, but saves position 1 (P to S) for the finish. That is a useful reminder to enter a familiar word family before forcing the final spelling.

At the midpoint, PARKS matches 2 target positions. On your replay, explain why that bridge gives you more options than a random swap; this path changes position 1 and 3 and 4 most often.

Practice prompt: choose two unfamiliar bridge words, check their definitions, and write a short sentence for each. Then replay RATES to SORTS without looking at the route and compare your reasoning with the solution.