Best Wordle Starting Words - Expert Strategy Guide
Choosing the right opening word in Wordle can make the difference between solving the puzzle in two guesses or struggling through all six attempts. Your first guess is your most valuable opportunity to gather information about the target word.
A strategic starting word should maximize your chances of identifying key letters early in the game. Below, we've compiled the 12 best Wordle starting words based on optimal letter frequency, vowel coverage, and proven success rates.
Top 12 Starting Words for Wordle
LEAST
2 vowels (E, A) • High-frequency consonants (L, S, T)
AUDIO
4 vowels (A, U, I, O) • Maximum vowel coverage
ADIEU
4 vowels (A, I, E, U) • Popular among Wordle experts
SLATE
2 vowels (A, E) • Balanced consonant-vowel mix
SLANT
1 vowel (A) • Four common consonants (S, L, N, T)
CRATE
2 vowels (A, E) • Tests frequent ending letters
TALES
2 vowels (A, E) • Strong letter positioning variety
BLOKE
2 vowels (O, E) • Tests less common letters (B, K)
SLICE
2 vowels (I, E) • Common consonant cluster (SL)
SAUTE
3 vowels (A, U, E) • High vowel-to-consonant ratio
TRIED
2 vowels (I, E) • Covers five high-frequency letters
CLOSE
2 vowels (O, E) • Common word with familiar patterns
What Makes a Great Wordle Opening Word?
The science behind an effective starting word comes down to three key principles:
- Multiple vowels: Since every five-letter word contains at least one vowel (and often two or three), starting with a vowel-rich word helps you quickly identify which vowels are in the target word.
- Common consonants: Letters like R, S, T, L, and N appear frequently in English words. Including these in your first guess increases your chances of finding correct letters.
- No repeated letters: Your opening word should test five different letters to maximize the information gained from your first guess. Save repeated-letter words for later guesses when you have more information.
Vowel-Heavy vs. Consonant-Heavy Strategies
Vowel-Heavy Approach (AUDIO, ADIEU): These words test four out of five vowels in your first guess, which can be extremely helpful for quickly narrowing down possibilities. The downside is that you're only testing one consonant.
Balanced Approach (LEAST, SLATE, CRATE): These words strike a balance between vowels and common consonants. This is often the most effective strategy for most players, as it tests multiple letter types and common patterns.
Consonant-Heavy Approach (SLANT): While less common, starting with multiple high-frequency consonants can be strategic, especially if you plan to follow up with a vowel-heavy second guess.
Pro Tip: If you're using a vowel-heavy first word like AUDIO, consider following up with a consonant-heavy second word like STERN or FLINT to maximize letter coverage across your first two guesses.
Letter Frequency Comparison
Here's how our top starting words compare in terms of vowel and consonant distribution:
| Word |
Vowels |
Consonants |
Strategy Type |
| AUDIO |
4 |
1 |
Vowel-Heavy |
| ADIEU |
4 |
1 |
Vowel-Heavy |
| SAUTE |
3 |
2 |
Vowel-Heavy |
| LEAST |
2 |
3 |
Balanced |
| SLATE |
2 |
3 |
Balanced |
| CRATE |
2 |
3 |
Balanced |
| SLANT |
1 |
4 |
Consonant-Heavy |
How to Choose Your Personal Best Starting Word
The "best" starting word can vary based on your playing style:
- If you want maximum information quickly: Use AUDIO or ADIEU to test four vowels immediately.
- If you prefer a balanced approach: SLATE, LEAST, or CRATE offer the best mix of vowels and high-frequency consonants.
- If you like consistency: Pick one word and stick with it every day. This helps you recognize patterns faster and develop intuition about what works.
- If you want to be strategic: Vary your approach based on the feedback from your first guess. Have a planned second word ready for different scenarios.
Second Word Strategy
Your second guess is just as important as your first. Based on the feedback from your opening word:
- If you found multiple vowels, your second word should focus on common consonants like R, N, S, T, L.
- If you found mostly consonants, try a word with different vowels you haven't tested yet.
- If you found very few letters (all gray tiles), choose a word with completely different letters to maximize elimination.
Example Strategy: Start with LEAST. If you get mostly gray tiles, follow up with WHOMP or GRIMY to test entirely different letters. This two-word combination covers 10 different letters, giving you massive information by guess 2.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using obscure words: While XYLEM might seem clever, it doesn't help you gather useful information. Stick with common words for your opening guesses.
- Repeating eliminated letters: If a letter shows as gray, don't use it in subsequent guesses.
- Ignoring letter position: If you have a yellow letter, remember it's in the word but NOT in that position. Don't guess it in the same spot again.
- Changing your starting word daily: While experimenting is fun, consistency helps you develop better pattern recognition and intuition.
Need More Help? If you're stuck after your opening word, use our
Wordle Solver Tool to find the perfect next guess. Enter your
green,
yellow, and
gray letters and we'll suggest the best words to try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use the same starting word every day?
Yes! Consistency helps you develop pattern recognition. Most successful Wordle players stick with one proven starting word.
Is ADIEU better than SLATE?
Both are excellent choices. ADIEU tests more vowels (4 vs 2), while SLATE tests more common consonants. SLATE tends to be slightly more effective statistically, but both work well.
Can starting words contain repeated letters?
They can, but it's not recommended. Your first guess should test five different letters to gather maximum information.
What if Wordle doesn't accept my starting word?
Wordle's dictionary sometimes excludes certain valid English words. All the words on our list are accepted by Wordle.
For more questions, check out our comprehensive Wordle FAQ page.
Good luck, and may your Wordle streak stay alive!