The Most Popular First Guess in Wordle, Ranked

Choose the first guess you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 13, 2024 06:38
When attempting to solve a puzzle like Wordle, the first guess can significantly influence the outcome. By choosing a strategic starting word, players set themselves up for fewer attempts and quicker wins. Over time, certain first guesses have emerged as favorites among the community, each offering its unique advantage in cracking the code efficiently. This site presents a dynamic ranking of these popular first guesses based on community votes. Each visitor has the opportunity to cast a vote for their preferred starting word, directly influencing the list's hierarchy. Reviewing this list not only provides insights into general strategies but also invites you to contribute to the evolving consensus on the optimal first move in Wordle.

What Is the Most Popular First Guess in Wordle?

  1. 1
    90
    votes
    As per this article in The New York Times, "hello" is a common first guess in Wordle because it is a frequently used greeting and has five unique letters that match the game's format.
    Hello is a soulful ballad performed by Adele. It was released as the lead single from her third studio album, '25', in 2015. The song became a massive hit worldwide, topping the charts in multiple countries and earning critical acclaim for its emotional lyrics and Adele's powerful vocals.
    • Album: 25
    • Release date: October 23, 2015
    • Genre: Soul, Pop
    • Length: 4 minutes and 55 seconds
    • Songwriters: Adele, Greg Kurstin
  2. 2
    31
    votes
    Another common first guess is "world". It has five letters and is a common word that people associate with Wordle's global appeal and wordplay.
    World music is a genre that encompasses traditional and contemporary music from various cultures around the world. It is characterized by its diverse styles, instruments, and vocal techniques, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of different regions.
    • Instruments: World music often incorporates a wide range of traditional instruments such as tabla, sitar, djembe, duduk, kora, shamisen, and many others.
    • Vocal Techniques: World music showcases various vocal styles including throat singing, yodeling, ululation, overtone singing, and different vocal ornamentations.
    • Cultural Fusion: World music encourages cultural fusion, blending traditional sounds with contemporary elements, resulting in unique and innovative musical expressions.
    • Language Diversity: It embraces music sung in multiple languages, allowing listeners to explore and appreciate different linguistic traditions.
    • Rhythmic Complexity: World music often features complex rhythmic patterns derived from specific cultural traditions, showcasing intricate polyrhythms and syncopations.
  3. 3
    28
    votes
    The word "apple" has five letters and is a common noun associated with technology, health, and education. It also has several vowel-consonant patterns that make it a good candidate for Wordle.
    Apple is a multinational technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells consumer electronics, software, and online services. It is widely known for its innovative products and is considered one of the most loved companies in the world.
    • iPhone: Flagship smartphone line
    • MacBook Pro: High-performance laptop
    • iPad: Tablet computer
    • Apple Watch: Smartwatch
    • iMac: All-in-one desktop computer
  4. 4
    15
    votes
    "Water" is another five-letter word that is often guessed in Wordle, as it is a common noun that is essential for life and has various meanings and associations.
    Water is a transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance. It covers about 71% of the Earth's surface and is essential for all forms of life. Water is a vital resource that exists in various forms including liquid, solid (ice), and gas (water vapor). It plays a crucial role in numerous natural processes and human activities.
    • Chemical formula: H2O
    • Boiling point: 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit)
    • Freezing point: 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit)
    • Density: 1 g/cm3
    • Specific heat capacity: 4.18 J/g°C
  5. 5
    18
    votes
    "Pizza" is a popular food item that has five letters and is easy to spell. It is a common first guess for people who may be hungry or thinking about their favorite foods.
    Pizza is a popular Italian dish that has become a staple in American cuisine. It typically consists of a round, flat dough base topped with various ingredients and baked in an oven. The toppings often include tomato sauce, cheese, and a variety of meats, vegetables, and herbs. The combination of these flavors creates a savory and satisfying meal enjoyed by people of all ages.
    • Dough: A flattened round dough made from flour, water, yeast, salt, and sometimes olive oil.
    • Toppings: A variety of ingredients can be used, including tomato sauce, cheese (often mozzarella), meats (such as pepperoni, sausage, or ham), vegetables (like mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers), and herbs (such as basil or oregano).
    • Baking: Typically baked in a hot oven, reaching temperatures around 475°F (245°C), for a short period of time (usually 10-15 minutes).
    • Styles: There are various regional styles of pizza in America, with New York-style and Chicago-style being among the most famous. Each style has its own unique characteristics, such as the thickness of the crust, the proportion of toppings, and the cooking method.
    • Versatility: Pizza can be customized to suit individual preferences, allowing for countless topping combinations and variations. This versatility contributes to its popularity and widespread appeal.
  6. 6
    6
    votes
    "Money" is a five-letter word that is often guessed in Wordle because of its universal appeal and importance. It is also a common noun that has several synonyms and related words.
    Money is a universally recognized and accepted medium of exchange that is used to facilitate the transfer of goods and services. It is a vital resource in modern economies, allowing individuals and organizations to store value, make transactions, and measure the worth of goods and services.
    • Portability: Money should be easily portable and convenient for both individuals and businesses to carry and exchange.
    • Durability: Money should be resistant to wear and tear, ensuring that it retains its value over time.
    • Divisibility: Money should be divisible into smaller units to accommodate various transaction sizes and levels of economic activity.
    • Fungibility: Each unit of money should be equivalent and interchangeable, allowing for seamless exchange and transactions.
    • Limited Supply: To maintain value, money should have a controlled and finite supply, preventing inflationary practices.
  7. 7
    8
    votes
    "Music" is a five-letter word that is often guessed in Wordle because of its wide popularity and diverse genres. It is also a common noun that has several related words, such as "song," "band," "guitar," etc.
    Music is an art form that uses sound and silence as its medium. It is typically organized in time and has patterns and structures that can be composed and improvised upon. Music can evoke emotion, convey meaning, and communicate cultural values and traditions.
    • Genre: There are many genres of music including classical, jazz, rock, pop, country, hip hop, and electronic among others.
    • Instruments and Vocals: Music can be created using a wide variety of instruments including the guitar, drums, piano, violin, saxophone, and voice.
    • Rhythm: The rhythm of music refers to the pattern of beats and the tempo that define its structure.
    • Harmony: Harmony refers to the combination of different musical notes and chords to create a pleasing sound.
    • Melody: The melody of a piece of music is the main theme or tune that is repeated throughout the piece.
  8. 8
    12
    votes
    "Heart" is a five-letter word that is often guessed in Wordle because of its emotional and symbolic significance. It is also a common noun that has several related words, such as "love," "passion," "health," etc.
    The heart symbol, represented by a stylized red heart shape, is a widely recognized icon used to convey emotions such as love, affection, and compassion. It is primarily used in the context of expressing romantic feelings and is commonly associated with Valentine's Day. The heart symbol has transcended cultural boundaries and has become a universal symbol of love and care.
    • Origin: Ancient Egypt, where it was believed to represent the organ of the soul.
    • Appearance: Stylized representation of a red heart, typically with a cleft at the top.
    • Symbolism: Love, affection, romance, compassion, care.
    • Universal Recognition: Widely recognized and understood across different cultures and languages.
    • Usage: Primarily used in the context of expressing romantic feelings and love.
  9. 9
    11
    votes
    "House" is a five-letter word that is often guessed in Wordle because it is a common noun that has several meanings and associations, such as a place to live, a political body, a music genre, etc.
    House is a high-energy and complex Hip Hop dance style that originated in the early 1980s in the clubs of Chicago. It fuses elements of various dance styles, including disco, Latin, and African dance. House is characterized by its fast footwork, fluid movements, and energetic yet controlled style.
    • Tempo: BPM ranges from 120-130
    • Footwork: Fast and intricate steps, often emphasizing syncopated rhythms
    • Groove: Lively and rhythmic movements that flow with the beat
    • Freeze: Incorporation of freezes - moments of stillness or abrupt halts that contrast with the continuous flow
    • Loose Upper Body: Relaxed and expressive upper body movements, including arm swings and fluid gestures
  10. 10
    8
    votes
    "Ocean" is a five-letter word that is often guessed in Wordle because of its vastness and beauty. It is also a common noun that has several related words, such as "beach," "wave," "sail," etc.
    The Ocean is a vast biome characterized by its immense body of saltwater covering approximately 70% of the Earth's surface. It is a challenging environment for survival due to its high salt content, extreme depths, and unpredictable weather conditions.
    • Size: Covers about 70% of the Earth's surface
    • Salinity: High salt content
    • Depth: Extends to great depths ranging from a few meters to several kilometers
    • Temperature: Varies based on location, ranging from freezing to tropical
    • Pressure: Increases with depth, exerting immense pressure on organisms

Missing your favorite first guess?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular first guess

  1. Letter frequency
    Choose a word with commonly occurring letters in the English language. For example, consonants like 'T,' 'N,' 'S,' and vowels like 'A,' 'E,' 'O' are frequently appearing. This increases the chances of guessing at least a few correct letters in the target word.
  2. Word length
    Wordle words are always five letters long, so the first guess should be restricted to five-letter words.
  3. Diverse letter usage
    The initial guess should ideally contain unique letters to maximize the chance of identifying correct letters in the puzzle. Avoid words with repeating letters.
  4. Position variety
    Choose a starting word with commonly appearing letters distributed throughout the word. This helps in getting a better indication of where the correct letters fit in the target word.
  5. Common word patterns
    Familiarize yourself with frequent patterns in English words, such as certain letter combinations (like 'TH,' 'ING,' 'LY') and word structures (vowel-consonant patterns). This knowledge can guide more informed guesses.
  6. Avoid obscure or rarely used words
    Stick to words that are more likely to appear in common language usage rather than choosing words that are overly technical or uncommon.
  7. Adaptability
    If the first guess doesn't result in a correct word but provides some positive information (correct letters or partially correct placement), choose a follow-up guess that capitalizes on that information. Reevaluate your strategy based on the feedback from each guess.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular first guess in Wordle. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or first guess is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2963 views
  • 243 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each first guess once every 24 hours. The rank of each first guess is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular first guess in wordle

Background Information: What is Wordle? Wordle is a popular online game that has taken the internet by storm. The game is simple yet addicting, and it involves guessing a five-letter word in just six attempts. Players are given a blank space where the word is supposed to be, and each time they make a guess, the game will indicate which letters are correct and in the right position, which letters are correct but in the wrong position, and which letters are incorrect. The game has quickly become a sensation, with people from all walks of life, including celebrities and politicians, taking part in the fun. One of the reasons for the game's popularity is its simplicity and accessibility, with no need for any special skills or knowledge to play. It's also a great way to pass the time and improve your vocabulary and spelling skills while having fun. But what is the most popular first guess in Wordle? Many players tend to start with the letters "S" or "E", but is this really the case? Let's take a closer look at the most popular first guesses in Wordle and see if there are any patterns or trends to be found.

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