Top Wordle Starting Words to Boost Your Win Rate

Wordle has taken the internet by storm, and if you want to improve your odds of solving the puzzle in fewer tries, starting with the right word is key.
A good Wordle guess should include a mix of vowels and common consonants, helping you eliminate multiple possibilities right away.
If you’re tired of guessing randomly and want a strategy that works, here’s a list of the 50 best Wordle starting words to give you the best possible start.
Why Your First Word Matters in Wordle
The best Wordle players know that the first word can make or break your game.
Choosing a word with frequently used letters like E, A, R, T, and O gives you a strong advantage.
You want a word that quickly reveals useful letters and rules out others, helping you narrow down the solution.
Top 50 Best Wordle Starting Words
Here are the best words to kick off your Wordle game, ranked based on probability, letter frequency, and effectiveness.
1-10: The Most Popular Wordle Starters
These words are statistically some of the best starting guesses:
- SLATE – A strong balance of vowels and common consonants.
- CRANE – Often cited as one of the best openers for its letter mix.
- SLANT – Covers common letters and helps eliminate possibilities fast.
- TRACE – Includes frequently used consonants and vowels.
- ADIEU – A vowel-heavy word that quickly identifies key letters.
- RAISE – Great for revealing vowels and testing strong consonants.
- AUDIO – Maximizes vowels in one guess.
- STARE – Uses a strategic mix of vowels and common letters.
- SHINE – Tests “SH” blends and common vowels.
- TABLE – A balanced mix of vowels and consonants.
11-20: Strong Alternatives for Wordle Openers
If you want to mix up your strategy, try these:
- ROAST – Includes common vowels and consonants.
- PLANT – A strong opener with high-frequency letters.
- CRISP – Great for checking “C” and “P” in addition to vowels.
- BREAD – Covers essential vowels and consonants.
- SPLAT – Useful for identifying common letter groupings.
- GRACE – Helps test “G” and common vowels early.
- MOUSE – Checks for multiple vowels in one go.
- FLOUT – A unique choice that includes common letters.
- BRAVE – A strong word that balances vowels and consonants.
- GLARE – Helps identify high-frequency vowels and consonants.
21-30: Unique but Effective Choices
For those who like to experiment with different strategies:
- THORN – A great way to test common ending letters.
- QUITE – Introduces “Q” early if it’s in the word.
- BRICK – Strong for checking “C” and “K.”
- FRESH – Covers frequently used letters.
- STORM – A strong consonant-heavy choice.
- PEACH – Useful for vowel placement.
- MIRTH – A unique but effective opener.
- SHOUT – A mix of vowels and strong consonants.
- CLOUD – Helps test for the “C” and “L” combination.
- PAINT – A solid balance of common letters.
31-40: Less Common But Still Powerful Choices
If you’re looking for fresh options, try these:
- TRIAL – A great mix of letters.
- SPICE – Covers frequently used letters.
- BLEND – A good mix of consonants and vowels.
- ROUND – Tests multiple vowels.
- VOTER – Introduces “V” early while testing vowels.
- FENCE – Helps determine common consonant placements.
- CRUSH – A good choice for ruling out “C” and “H.”
- GRAIN – A useful word for testing letter positions.
- DEALT – Covers a wide range of common letters.
- CROWN – A strong alternative to common starting words.
41-50: Experimental but Strategic Wordle Starters
For those who like to take a different approach:
- LEAST – Checks common vowels and consonants.
- WHEAT – Introduces “W” while covering common vowels.
- FIXER – Tests “F” and “X” early in the game.
- QUIRK – A wildcard option that helps with “Q” placement.
- TWEAK – Useful for testing tricky letters.
- SCOPE – A great mix of letters.
- PLUME – A rare but effective opener.
- DOUBT – Helps identify vowels and key consonants.
- EXIST – A unique but useful starting word.
- ZEBRA – Introduces “Z” while still testing common vowels.