Find the clue you need
Reveal one answer or the full solution.
- 1
Middle clue 1 — original clue text unavailable
TAIL - 2
Middle clue 2 — original clue text unavailable
TALL - 3
Middle clue 3 — original clue text unavailable
TOLL - 4
Middle clue 4 — original clue text unavailable
TOLD - 5
Middle clue 5 — original clue text unavailable
TOAD
Top + bottom clue
Reveal the solution to see the two endpoint words.
The complete word ladder
Read from top to bottom. Highlighted letters show what changes from the previous word.
- RAILTop endpoint
- TAILRAIL → TAIL changes position 1 from R to T.
- TALLTAIL → TALL changes position 3 from I to L.
- TOLLTALL → TOLL changes position 2 from A to O.
- TOLDTOLL → TOLD changes position 4 from L to D.
- TOADTOLD → TOAD changes position 3 from L to A.
- ROADTOAD → ROAD changes position 1 from T to R.
How the endpoints answer the clue
RAIL + ROAD = RAILROAD
RAIL is a metal track and the first half of RAILROAD.
Clue meanings and letter changes
| Clue | Answer & meaning | Change from previous word |
|---|---|---|
| Top endpoint | RAIL RAIL is a metal track and the first half of RAILROAD. | Start of ladder |
| Middle clue 1 | TAIL TAIL is the rear appendage that many dogs enthusiastically wag. | RAIL → TAIL changes position 1 from R to T. |
| Middle clue 2 | TALL TALL is the opposite of short in height. | TAIL → TALL changes position 3 from I to L. |
| Middle clue 3 | TOLL TOLL is a charge paid to use a road, bridge, or tunnel. | TALL → TOLL changes position 2 from A to O. |
| Middle clue 4 | TOLD TOLD is the past tense of tell and appears in the phrase 'I told you so.' | TOLL → TOLD changes position 4 from L to D. |
| Middle clue 5 | TOAD TOAD is a squat amphibian related to frogs. | TOLD → TOAD changes position 3 from L to A. |
| Bottom endpoint | ROAD ROAD is a route for travel and completes RAILROAD. | TOAD → ROAD changes position 1 from T to R. |
How to work out the order
TAIL → TALL → TOLL is the cleanest segment. TOLD, TOAD, and ROAD then extend it with changes in the last two positions.
- Anchor TAIL, TALL, and TOLL as a three-rung sequence.
- Extend downward through TOLD and TOAD until ROAD becomes the only valid endpoint.
- Attach RAIL above TAIL and combine the endpoints as RAILROAD.
One takeaway
A simple word can still be the troublemaker if its grammatical form is wrong. Check tense and number before rearranging six innocent neighbors to accommodate one guilty answer.
More CrossClimb
Nearby editions: #826 · 2026-08-04 · #824 · 2026-08-02