About Letter Box
Build English words from twelve letters arranged around a square. Change sides with every letter, then begin your next word where the last one ended.
Cover all twelve letters to finish a box. Any legal chain wins; return to find a shorter solution across 96 original boxes.
How to play
- Goal
- Use all twelve letters in a connected chain of words.
- How it ends
- An accepted word completes the chain’s coverage. No word limit.
- Record
- First-solve time; fewest words can improve on replay.
- Choose a box. Tap, drag or type its letters, then Submit a word of 3–24 letters. Each consecutive letter must come from a different side. You may reuse letters.
- Begin each new word with the previous word’s final letter. Use every letter at least once across your accepted chain to finish. There is no word limit.
- Backspace and Clear draft edit the current word. Undo word returns the last accepted word to your draft. Restart asks before clearing your chain and keeps the original clock.
- Your first unassisted solve keeps its time. Replays can improve fewest words. Returning to Boxes in the same page keeps the clock running; reload makes time practice.
Controls
| Input | Action |
|---|---|
| Tap or click letters; drag between them | Spell a word, then Submit |
| Type letters / Enter | Spell / submit the current word |
| Backspace / Clear draft | Edit the current word |
| Undo word | Return the last accepted word to your draft |
| F2 / Restart | Confirm clearing this word chain |
| Escape | Close a dialog or return to Boxes |
| Gamepad stick or D-pad / A | Move focus / activate |
| Gamepad B / Start / left shoulder | Back / menu / Undo word |
Tips
- Find a useful ending Look for words whose final letter can start another word using letters you still need.
- Finish, then shorten A longer chain still wins. Replay to improve your fewest-word record.
Good to know
Progress stays in this browser. Reload keeps accepted words, but time becomes practice. The fixed English list includes regional spellings and inflections; a refused spelling is outside this list, not necessarily invalid English. Records accept chains up to 4096 bytes and 24 hours; longer play still finishes locally. Vocabulary: ESDB/SCOWL and 12dicts; complete notices ship with the game.
Watch how to play
Questions
Must I use the minimum number of words?
No. Any legal chain covering all twelve letters wins. The minimum is a benchmark; you can improve your fewest words on replay.
Why was my word refused?
Every word must use the box’s letters, switch sides at each letter and join the previous word. It must also appear in the game’s fixed English list. A missing spelling may still be valid English.
