Daily Word Ladder Solution 2026-04-27: SHOW → SCAN

Date: 2026-04-27

SHOW → SCAN

Difficulty: Medium Goal Steps: 7 4 Letters

Today's Word Ladder puzzle connects SHOW to SCAN 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 SHOW → SHOP

Change the 4th letter W to P, turning SHOW into SHOP.

Step 2 SHOP → SHIP

Change the 3rd letter O to I, turning SHOP into SHIP.

Step 3 SHIP → SKIP

Change the 2nd letter H to K, turning SHIP into SKIP.

Step 4 SKIP → SKIN

Change the 4th letter P to N, turning SKIP into SKIN.

Step 5 SKIN → SPIN

Change the 2nd letter K to P, turning SKIN into SPIN.

Step 6 SPIN → SPAN

Change the 3rd letter I to A, turning SPIN into SPAN.

Step 7 SPAN → SCAN

Change the 2nd letter P to C, turning SPAN into SCAN.

Puzzle Insights

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

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

Letter mix: V→V 2, V→C 0, C→V 0, C→C 5.

Word stats: 8 words, 10 unique letters. Start/target share 1 position.

Try It Before You Reveal the Path

Cover the steps and work from both SHOW and SCAN 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 4 from W to P first, but saves position 2 (P to C) for the finish. That is a useful reminder to enter a familiar word family before forcing the final spelling.

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

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