TodayHint

Letter Boxed July 13, 2026: Hints & Answers

edited by Sam Ezersky.

Recap

This puzzle required strategic thinking to link words across different sides of the board. Solvers had to balance using common letters to create multiple word options while ensuring each word met the criteria. The official chain showcased a clever use of word transitions.

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.

  • TopAEI
  • RightDKL
  • BottomTUZ
  • LeftPNC

Par is 5 words. This board accepts 1724 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 less common letters. Starting with a word that uses high-frequency letters and clears a side can be beneficial. The letters 'T', 'U', and 'Z' on one side might be tricky to use. Look for a starting word that sets up a strong transition to the next word.

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

    Read off the board.

    Top side
    A · E · I
    Right side
    D · K · L
    Bottom side
    T · U · Z
    Left side
    P · N · C
    Par
    5 words
    Official chain
    2 words
    Words this board accepted
    1724
    Back to the twelve letters
  3. The opening word, without naming it

    The first word has 7 letters and starts with a common letter often used in many words, frequently found at the beginning of sentences or phrases.

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

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

    Word 1
    CAPITALIZED
  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
    4 letters, starts with D
    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 · 11 letters

    CAPITALIZED

    This word refers to the act of giving capital letters to text. It clears the letters 'C', 'A', 'P', 'I', 'T', 'L', 'Z', 'E', and 'D'.

  • Word 2 · 4 letters

    DUNK

    This word is a type of basketball shot. It clears the letters 'D', 'U', 'N', and 'K'.

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

    CAPITALIZEDDUCKPIN

  • Alternate chain 2 · 2 words

    DENTALIZEDDUCKPIN

  • Alternate chain 3 · 2 words

    ITALICIZEDDUCKPIN

This board by the numbers

Date
Monday, July 13, 2026
Board
4 sides of 3 letters
Par
5 words
Official chain
2 words
Words accepted
1724 on this board
Other chains we verified
3

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