TodayHint

Letter Boxed August 19, 2026: Hints & Answers

edited by Sam Ezersky.

Recap

This puzzle required a strategic approach to word chaining, using a mix of common and uncommon letters. Solvers had to think ahead to create multiple options for each word, making it a fun and challenging 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.

  • TopPHR
  • RightASE
  • BottomFUT
  • LeftMOC

Par is 4 words. This board accepts 2240 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. Focus on words that use high-frequency letters and create multiple options for the next word. The letters 'M', 'P', and 'F' seem particularly useful. Try to start with a word that uses a common letter and has a good balance of letters.

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

    Read off the board.

    Top side
    P · H · R
    Right side
    A · S · E
    Bottom side
    F · U · T
    Left side
    M · O · C
    Par
    4 words
    Official chain
    2 words
    Words this board accepted
    2240
    Back to the twelve letters
  3. The opening word, without naming it

    The first word has 5 letters and starts with a common letter often used in many words, frequently found at the start of sentences or phrases.

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

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

    Word 1
    PERMAFROST
  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 T
    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 · 10 letters

    PERMAFROST

    A type of soil and rock that remains frozen for two or more consecutive years, often found in polar regions. It clears the letters 'P', 'E', 'R', 'M', 'A', 'F', 'R', 'O', 'S', and 'T'.

  • Word 2 · 5 letters

    TOUCH

    To come into contact with something. It clears the letters 'T', 'O', 'U', 'C', and 'H'.

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 · 2 words

    APOTHEMSSCURF

  • Alternate chain 2 · 2 words

    CATCHUPPERFORMERS

  • Alternate chain 3 · 2 words

    CHACHAMSSUPERFOETATE

This board by the numbers

Date
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Board
4 sides of 3 letters
Par
4 words
Official chain
2 words
Words accepted
2240 on this board
Other chains we verified
3

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