Letter Boxed
Letter Boxed puts twelve letters around a square, three on each side. Chain words together until you have used every letter.
Opens the real game on nytimes.com. Free, in a new tab.
How Letter Boxed works
Spell a word. Tap letters to spell a word of at least three letters.
Jump sides. Two letters in a row cannot come from the same side of the square.
Chain the next word. Each new word starts with the last letter of the word before it.
Use every letter. Letters can be used more than once. You win when all twelve have been used, ideally within the target number of words.
The rules that catch people out
Letter Boxed from The New York Times puts twelve letters around a square, three on each side. You spell words by moving between sides, and every letter must be used at least once. Two rules matter most.
- Two letters in a row cannot come from the same side of the square.
- Each new word starts with the last letter of the word before it.
Going for two words
The puzzle gives a target number of words, but the editor, Sam Ezersky, usually has a two word solution in mind. To find one, look for a long word that uses the awkward letters, like J, Q, X or Z. It should end on a letter that starts many words, like E or S. Then see what the leftover letters spell.
Is Letter Boxed free?
Letter Boxed is part of NYT Games and is for subscribers. If you want to try the idea first, draw a square with twelve letters on paper and practice there. You can also warm up with free word games like Spelling Bee style puzzles and Squaredle.
Common Letter Boxed questions
Is Letter Boxed free?
No. Letter Boxed is part of the NYT Games subscription.
Can you reuse letters in Letter Boxed?
Yes. A letter can appear in more than one word, but two letters in a row must come from different sides.
How many words should a Letter Boxed answer have?
The game sets a target for each puzzle, and two words is often possible.
Is there a Letter Boxed hint or solver?
This guide shares methods: plan around the hardest letters, then join them with a long word. Today's NYT solution is on our Letter Boxed answer today page.
Letter Boxed strategy
- Find a long word first. It uses up many letters and leaves only a few for the next word.
- Rare letters like Q, X, J or Z are the hard part. Build your first word around them.
- The editor's best answer is usually two words, so once you finish, try again with fewer.
- Words ending in a rare letter make poor links. End on letters with many words that start with them.
- Look for one long word that covers most sides, then a short word to finish.
Letter Boxed in numbers
- Made by
- The New York Times, edited by Sam Ezersky
- Letters
- 12, three on each side of a square
- Shortest word
- 3 letters
- Goal
- Use all letters within the target number of words
- Price
- For NYT Games subscribers
- Category
- Word games, word grids
Facts checked on 2026-11-03. Letter Boxed belongs to The New York Times. Megadle is not linked to it.