Thirdle: Guess the Three-Letter Word
Three letters, three tries, and a score that drops with every extra guess you need.
How to play Thirdle
Type a three-letter word
Use your keyboard or the on-screen keys to enter any valid three-letter word, then press Enter. Pick an opener that mixes a vowel with common consonants.
Read blue, orange and black tiles
Blue is the right letter in the right spot. Orange is in the word but in the wrong spot. Black is not in the word at all. You only get three tries.
Use hints and chase a high score
Stuck? Tap the hint button, but it costs points. When the round ends you see your score: 100 for a first-try solve, then less for each extra guess.
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What is Thirdle?
Thirdle is a free word game that shrinks the usual guessing grid to three letters and gives you just three tries. It sounds easy until you notice how many short words share a vowel or repeat a consonant.
You type on a keyboard or the on-screen keys, press Enter to lock in a row, and watch each letter turn blue, orange or black. On top of the colour clues, Thirdle keeps score, so every extra guess costs you points.
How Thirdle scoring works
Tile colours tell you how to spell the answer. Points tell you how elegantly you got there. A first-try solve earns 100 points, a second-try solve 75 and a third-try solve 50. Missing the word still gives you 25.
The hint button sits right in the middle of that tension. It can rescue a stuck board, but it takes 25 points off, so Thirdle regulars treat hints as an emergency tool rather than a habit.
Blue and orange instead of green and yellow
Thirdle swaps the usual palette for blue locked letters, orange misplaced letters and black ruled-out letters. The logic is the same as in other tile puzzles, but the colours help it stand out on a page full of similar grids.
Black tiles deserve extra respect here. On a three-letter board you can't afford a second guess that repeats a letter that already failed.
Thirdle tips for a better score
- Treat guess one as reconnaissance. A wild opener can waste a third of your tries.
- Think in letter sets. CAT, CAR and CAN share a frame, so test the differences.
- Use black tiles to cross letters off for good. There is no room to retest them.
- Save the hint for rows where a blank would hurt more than the 25-point penalty.
- Rounds are quick, so you can start another straight away if the score chase has you hooked.
Thirdle FAQ
How many guesses does Thirdle allow?
You get three attempts to name the hidden three-letter word. The round ends when you solve it or use the third row without a full match.
What do the blue, orange and black tiles mean in Thirdle?
Blue confirms the right letter in the right position. Orange shows the letter is in the word but needs to move. Black means the letter is not in the answer.
How does Thirdle scoring work?
A first-turn solve earns 100 points, second turn 75 and third turn 50. Failing to guess the word still awards 25. Using the hint button reduces your score by 25.
Can I use a hint at any time in Thirdle?
Yes. The hint control is available throughout the round. It reveals useful information about the answer, but the point deduction makes careless hint taps costly.
Is Thirdle easier than five-letter word puzzles?
Shorter words feel friendlier, yet three guesses raises the pressure. Thirdle suits quick sessions and younger players, but mistakes can't be spread across six rows.
Where can I see my Thirdle statistics?
The stats panel inside the game tracks your points, streaks and past performance. Open it from the in-game menu at any time.