Daily Word Ladder Solution 2026-03-28: ROSS → SPAN

Date: 2026-03-28

ROSS → SPAN

Difficulty: Medium Goal Steps: 7 4 Letters

Today's Word Ladder puzzle connects ROSS to SPAN in 7 steps. This 4-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 ROSS → LOSS

Change the 1st letter R to L, turning ROSS into LOSS.

Step 2 LOSS → LESS

Change the 2nd letter O to E, turning LOSS into LESS.

Step 3 LESS → LETS

Change the 3rd letter S to T, turning LESS into LETS.

Step 4 LETS → SETS

Change the 1st letter L to S, turning LETS into SETS.

Step 5 SETS → SEAS

Change the 3rd letter T to A, turning SETS into SEAS.

Step 6 SEAS → SPAS

Change the 2nd letter E to P, turning SEAS into SPAS.

Step 7 SPAS → SPAN

Change the 4th letter S to N, turning SPAS into SPAN.

Puzzle Insights

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

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

Letter mix: V→V 1, V→C 1, C→V 1, C→C 4.

Word stats: 8 words, 9 unique letters. Start/target share 0 positions.

Try It Before You Reveal the Path

Cover the steps and work from both ROSS and SPAN first. This ladder needs 7 moves, and the endpoints already share 0 letter positions—so a useful move does not always look immediately closer to the target.

The recorded route changes position 1 from R to L first, but saves position 4 (S to N) for the finish. That is a useful reminder to enter a familiar word family before forcing the final spelling.

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

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