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Puzzle #416 · October 4, 2026

Poople #416 answer and hints: RAFT to POOP

Start with a clue for this puzzle, or reveal the full answer below.

STARTRAFT
→
GOALPOOP
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ANSWER & EXPLANATION

Hints for Poople #416

Open one clue at a time. Reveal the full route only when you want the answer.

01How many steps?
The shortest route takes 6 moves.
02Which letter changes first?
Change letter 2 first.
03What is the first word?
RIFTTry RIFT from RAFT.
04Show the complete answer
  1. 0RAFTstart
  2. 1RIFTletter 2 changes
  3. 2RIOTletter 3 changes
  4. 3ROOTletter 2 changes
  5. 4LOOTletter 1 changes
  6. 5LOOPletter 4 changes
  7. 6POOPletter 1 changes
The thinking behind the ladder

How RAFT gets to POOP

The starting word is RAFT. A shortest route needs 6 one-letter changes. Our word list contains 7 equally short routes; the answer shows one of them.

See the route, one change at a timeFull answer
  1. 1
    RAFT → RIFTChange letter 2 from A to I.
  2. 2
    RIFT → RIOTChange letter 3 from F to O.
  3. 3
    RIOT → ROOTChange letter 2 from I to O.
  4. 4
    ROOT → LOOTChange letter 1 from R to L.
  5. 5
    LOOT → LOOPChange letter 4 from T to P.
  6. 6
    LOOP → POOPChange letter 1 from L to P.

The first move matters

There are 7 accepted words one letter away from RAFT. 2 bring you a step closer to POOP. The other 5 are detours.

A valid word can still make the ladder longer. For a shortest solve, choose a move that leaves 5 steps to the goal.

Reveal first moves and detoursSpoiler

One step closer: HAFT, RIFT.

Detours: DAFT, WAFT, RANT, RAPT, RAFF. These words are accepted, but do not reduce the remaining distance.

How hard is this puzzle?

Tricky

Its 6 moves compare with a 5.6-move average over the last 31 published puzzles.

Shortest route · moves This puzzle

Of the other 30 puzzles: 19 shorter, 8 the same length, 3 longer.

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