TodayHint

Letter Boxed October 10, 2026: Hints & Answers

edited by Sam Ezersky.

Recap

This puzzle required strategic planning to navigate the board's constraints. Solvers had to balance using common letters and setting up future words. The official chain and alternate solutions demonstrated the board's solvability and variety of paths.

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.

  • TopTLN
  • RightXIA
  • BottomEDP
  • LeftCKR

Par is 5 words. This board accepts 1675 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. Starting with a word that uses high-frequency letters and clears a side could be beneficial. The letters 'E', 'T', and 'A' appear to be good starting points. Avoid starting with words that limit future options by using consecutive letters from the same side.

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

    Read off the board.

    Top side
    T · L · N
    Right side
    X · I · A
    Bottom side
    E · D · P
    Left side
    C · K · R
    Par
    5 words
    Official chain
    2 words
    Words this board accepted
    1675
    Back to the twelve letters
  3. The opening word, without naming it

    Consider a 4-letter word starting with E, aiming to use common letters and set up multiple next steps. This length and starting letter could offer flexibility.

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

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

    Word 1
    EXPLICIT
  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
    7 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 · 8 letters

    EXPLICIT

    This word is a clear and detailed statement. It uses the letters E, X, P, L, I, C, and T, setting up well for a variety of next words.

  • Word 2 · 7 letters

    TANKARD

    A tankard is a type of cup or container, often used for drinking. It uses the letters T, A, N, K, A, R, and D, providing a solid connection for the next word.

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

    AKINDLEEXCERPT

  • Alternate chain 2 · 2 words

    ALKADIENEEXCERPT

  • Alternate chain 3 · 2 words

    CARETAKEEXPLICAND

This board by the numbers

Date
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Board
4 sides of 3 letters
Par
5 words
Official chain
2 words
Words accepted
1675 on this board
Other chains we verified
3

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