TodayHint

Letter Boxed August 14, 2026: Hints & Answers

edited by Sam Ezersky.

Recap

This puzzle required a mix of common word knowledge and strategic thinking. Solvers had to balance using common letters to create multiple options while clearing the board. The official chain and alternate solutions showcased different approaches to solving the puzzle.

The board that was printed

Twelve letters, three to a side. A word could hop from any side to any other but never twice in a row from the same side, and each word had to start on the letter the last one ended on.

  • TopKSZ
  • RightLMB
  • BottomCOU
  • LeftATG

Par is 6 words. This board accepts 688 words in total.

Letter Boxed hints, one rung at a time

Six rungs, softest first. The recap above already named the chain, so this ladder is here for anyone replaying the board fresh rather than as a spoiler shield.

  1. How the board wanted to be attacked

    Method only — no word from the chain.

    The board has a mix of common and uncommon letters. Look for a starting word that uses a side with multiple common letters. The goal is to clear one side quickly and create options. Focus on using words that end with letters found on multiple sides.

  2. Board facts: letters, par and how many words fitted

    Read off the board.

    Top side
    K · S · Z
    Right side
    L · M · B
    Bottom side
    C · O · U
    Left side
    A · T · G
    Par
    6 words
    Official chain
    2 words
    Words this board accepted
    688
    Back to the twelve letters
  3. The opening word, without naming it

    The first word has 5 letters and starts with A. It's a good idea to start with a word that has a good balance of letters.

  4. How long the opening word was, and where it started
    Opening word
    8 letters, starts with G
    Word 2
    5 letters
  5. The opening word itself

    The recap above already named it; this rung is for a replay.

    Word 1
    GOBSMACK
  6. What each remaining word had to do

    Last rung before the full chain.

    Each word after the first began on the letter the previous one ended on, and between them they covered all 12 letters.

    Word 2
    5 letters, starts with K
    Open the full chain

Every word of that day's chain

All the words, folded. Each one stays hidden until you open it.

  • Word 1 · 8 letters

    GOBSMACK

    A slang term for being shocked or amazed. It clears the letters G, O, B, S, M, A, C, and K.

  • Word 2 · 5 letters

    KLUTZ

    A clumsy person. It clears the letters K, L, U, T, and Z, and sets up for a new word starting with Z.

Other chains that solved that board

Any chain using all twelve letters, each word starting where the last ended, was a win. These came out of that board's own word list, so every one of them was playable.

  • Alternate chain 1 · 3 words

    ALAKAZAMMOGOSSACKBUT

  • Alternate chain 2 · 3 words

    ALGOSSACKBUTTOMOZ

  • Alternate chain 3 · 3 words

    BACKLOGGLAMMAZUTS

This board by the numbers

Date
Friday, August 14, 2026
Board
4 sides of 3 letters
Par
6 words
Official chain
2 words
Words accepted
688 on this board
Other chains we verified
3

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