Wordle probably needs no introduction. It is become a global favorite for anyone who enjoys testing their vocabulary and logic one guess at a time. But while the game’s concept is simple, cracking the daily five-letter puzzle can be trickier than expected. That’s where having a smart starting word really makes a difference.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through some of the best Wordle starting words and explain the strategy behind them, based on both data and personal play experience to help you build momentum from the very first move.
Why guessing right Starting Word in Wordle Matters
Your first word in Wordle isn’t just a random guess—it sets the tone for the entire puzzle. A strong opening guess includes common vowels and high-frequency consonants, giving you immediate clues about what to keep and what to cross off. The better your first word, the faster you can narrow down your options and get closer to that satisfying green row.
Key Tips for Choosing Best Wordle Starting Words
There’s no shortage of suggestions online about which Wordle words are “the best,” but after testing plenty of them myself, here are a few practical tips that can truly improve your early guesses:
- Go heavy on vowels: Start with a word that includes multiple vowels like A, E, I, O, or U. This helps you quickly figure out which vowels are in play and eliminates large chunks of the word list right away.
- Avoid repeating letters: Since you only get six guesses, your first one should test as many different letters as possible. If you are repeating a letter too soon then this will limits your ability to gather new information.
- Use high-frequency consonants: Add commonly used letters like R, S, T, L, and N to your first word. These are regulars in English and can give you a strong head start if one of them hits.
These small strategies can go a long way toward solving the puzzle faster. And if you’re curious to go even deeper, our full Wordle Tips & Tricks guide breaks it all down in a fun, easy-to-follow way.
Top Starting Words for Wordle (Hashtechwave Experience)
Here are some of the best starting words for Wordle that we’ve tried ourselves. They might not give you the answer right away, but they’ll help you zero in on it much faster.
Personally, I like to kick things off with the word “RAISE.” It strikes a solid balance between vowels (A, I, E) and useful consonants (R, S), giving me a quick read on multiple common letters. It doesn’t always solve the puzzle on the first go—but it almost always gives me a clear direction. From there, I usually follow up with complementary guesses to fill in the blanks. It’s a reliable strategy that keeps me moving forward without wasting turns.
What are the 5 Best Words to Start Wordle
With so many good options out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. If you’re looking for a simple, no-fuss recommendation to kick off your daily Wordle, I’ve got you covered. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, here are my top five personal picks that consistently help me uncover key letters and solve puzzles more efficiently:
- ARISE
- AISLE
- SALTY
- CRANE
- SLATE
ARISE, AISLE and CRANE are my favorite starting words from this list, but I’ve got to say, the SALTY and SLATE is my second choice. It’s honestly amazing how many times those three have helped me crack a tough Wordle puzzle.
What Experts Say about Best Wordle Answers
Experts and data-backed tools like WordleBot (from NYT) and MIT researchers often recommend words like SLATE, LEAST, DEALT, and CRANE as top starters, thanks to their balanced letter frequency. Even Computer Scientist Grant Sanderson points to CRANE as a strong pick based on principles of information theory.
Letters to Target for Maximum Efficiency
Picking the right letters early on can seriously speed up your Wordle solve. Certain letters just appear more often in everyday English, so using words with those gives you a head start. For example, based on an analysis of over 170,000 words by WordsRated, E is the most frequent letter, followed by S and I—all great letters to include in your first guess.
To help you out, here’s a list of the most frequently used letters you want to target in your guesses:
With these letters, you’ll be able to make smarter guesses and improve your Wordle game. If you have any questions or want to share your thoughts, feel free to drop a comment below, we’d love to hear from you!
What are the best starting words to use in Wordle?
Great starters like ARISE, SLATE, and CRANE include common vowels and consonants, helping you quickly spot key letters.
Should I repeat letters in my first Wordle guess?
It’s better to avoid repeating letters in your first guess because using distinct letters helps you test more possibilities at once and gain more valuable information.
Are Wordle starting words the same for everyone?
Yes, since Wordle gives the same daily word to all players, choosing the best starting words helps maximize your chances regardless of when or where you play.
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