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Best Starting Words for Wordle

Choosing the right first word can make or break your Wordle game. Our statistical analysis reveals the optimal starting words based on letter frequency, vowel distribution, and real-world success rates.

Top 6 Wordle Starting Words

#1

CRANE

95
Score

Contains R, N, E - three of the most common consonants, plus two vowels A and E

2 Vowels5 Common Letters
#2

SLATE

94
Score

Excellent balance of common consonants (S, L, T) with vowels A and E

2 Vowels5 Common Letters
#3

TRACE

93
Score

Similar to CRANE with high-frequency letters including T, R, C

2 Vowels5 Common Letters
#4

ADIEU

91
Score

Maximizes vowel coverage with A, I, E, U - best for vowel-heavy words

4 Vowels3 Common Letters
#5

ROAST

90
Score

Strong consonant-vowel balance with R, S, T all being very common

2 Vowels5 Common Letters
#6

RAISE

89
Score

Three vowels (A, I, E) plus common consonants R and S

3 Vowels4 Common Letters

Why These Words Work

The best Wordle starting words share several key characteristics that maximize your chances of getting useful feedback on your first guess:

  • check_circleHigh-frequency letters - Letters like E, A, R, O, T appear in the most English words
  • check_circleVowel coverage - At least 2 vowels to narrow down vowel possibilities quickly
  • check_circleNo duplicate letters - Using 5 unique letters gives maximum information
  • check_circleCommon consonants - Letters like R, S, T, L, N appear frequently in Wordle answers

Letter Frequency in Wordle

Based on analysis of thousands of valid 5-letter words, here are the most common letters:

E
#1 Most Common
A
#2 Most Common
R
#3 Most Common
O
#4 Most Common
T
#5 Most Common
L
#6 Most Common
I
#7 Most Common
S
#8 Most Common
N
#9 Most Common
C
#10 Most Common

Starting Word Strategy

For Maximum Information

Use CRANE or SLATE. These words give you the best chance of revealing green or yellow tiles on your first guess.

For Vowel-Heavy Words

Try ADIEU to quickly identify which vowels are in the target word. Follow up with consonant-heavy words.

For Balanced Approach

ROAST or RAISE provide excellent consonant-vowel balance for consistent results.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the absolute best Wordle starting word?

CRANE is statistically the best starting word, with a score of 95/100. It contains the most common letters and provides excellent vowel-consonant balance.

Should I use the same starting word every time?

Yes! Using the same optimal starting word creates consistency and helps you develop pattern recognition. It also ensures you're always starting with maximum statistical advantage.

What about words with more vowels like AUDIO?

While AUDIO has 4 vowels, it lacks common consonants. ADIEU is a better choice with similar vowel coverage plus more common letters.