POOPLE ANSWERS

OCTOBER 20, 2025 · PUZZLE #67

STUD to POOP.

One shortest route in 6 moves.

00
STUD
START
01
SPUD
LETTER 2
02
SPUR
LETTER 4
03
SOUR
LETTER 2
04
POUR
LETTER 1
05
POOR
LETTER 3
06
POOP
GOAL

Why this route takes 6 moves

STUD and POOP differ in 4 letter positions. The shortest accepted-word route needs 2 additional moves; the second and fourth letters change more than once.

Start by changing the second letter: STUD → SPUD. Near the goal, POOR is one letter from POOP; the last move changes its fourth letter.

Every letter change

  1. STUD → SPUD: change letter 2 from T to P.
  2. SPUD → SPUR: change letter 4 from D to R.
  3. SPUR → SOUR: change letter 2 from P to O.
  4. SOUR → POUR: change letter 1 from S to P.
  5. POUR → POOR: change letter 3 from U to O.
  6. POOR → POOP: change letter 4 from R to P.
← All saved puzzlesPlay this puzzle →Today's answer →