Best Wordle Starting Words
Top 10 opening moves based on letter frequency analysis
Why Your Starting Word Matters
In Wordle, your first guess eliminates or confirms up to 5 letters. The best opening words use the most common English letters to maximize the information you get from each guess.
According to analysis of letter frequency in 5-letter English words, the most common letters are E, A, R, O, T, N, I, S, L, C. Your starting word should include as many of these as possible.
Top 10 Starting Words
Most optimal — covers S, L, A, T, E. Solves ~15% of Wordles within 3 guesses.
Covers C, R, A, N, E — slightly less common letters but better placement.
Similar to SLATE with different vowel placement. Tests S, T, A, R, E.
Three vowels plus common consonants. Great for vowel-heavy puzzles.
A, R, I, S, E — three vowels and two frequent consonants.
A, L, E, R, T — all top-10 letters except S.
T, E, A, R, Y — Y is useful for eliminating common endings.
H, E, A, R, T — H is less common but useful.
S, T, O, R, Y — O is the second most common vowel.
P, E, N, A, L — P is underrated. Covers two vowels.
Strategy Tips
- Use two vowel-heavy words — If your first guess has no correct letters, try a second word with different vowels (e.g., first SLATE → second CORNY)
- Pay attention to letter positions — Green letters are confirmed. Use our Wordle Solver to track known positions
- Eliminate common consonants — If your first word had no matches, your second should test remaining top consonants (D, H, P, C)
- Avoid obscure words — Wordle only uses common English words. Uncommon letters like Z, X, Q, J are rarely answers