Poople Answer Record

How to solve this puzzle

• PEST and POOP differ in 3 positions, so any solution needs at least 3 single-letter changes. This displayed route uses 5 moves.
• Begin with PEST → POST: change the second letter from E to O. The pattern P_ST keeps the other three letters fixed.
• Notice POST → COST: the number of positions different from the target rises from 2 to 3. This route temporarily gives up a matching letter before continuing to the finish.
• Work backward from the finish: COOT → COOP → POOP. Once you reach COOP, changing the first letter from C to P completes the puzzle.

Practice these word ladder strategies →

Solution walkthrough

Follow the changes below to see how each accepted word connects to the next. The starting word is not counted as a move.

1. PEST → POST. Change the second letter from E to O to create the next valid word. Keep the remaining three letters in place.
2. POST → COST. Change the first letter from P to C to create the next valid word. Keep the remaining three letters in place.
3. COST → COOT. Change the third letter from S to O to create the next valid word. Keep the remaining three letters in place.
4. COOT → COOP. Change the fourth letter from T to P to create the next valid word. Keep the remaining three letters in place.
5. COOP → POOP. Change the first letter from C to P to create the next valid word. Keep the remaining three letters in place.

Poople tips for your next puzzle

Use this Poople answer to learn a connection you can recognize next time. Cover the next word in the walkthrough, choose one position to change, and try to predict the result before reading on. The aim is to understand the link, not memorize the whole chain.

When a direct change toward POOP produces no accepted word, explore another letter position. A useful word ladder step may leave the same number of target letters unmatched, or temporarily change a letter that already matches. Avoid repeating a loop and check every candidate in the dictionary of the game you are playing.

For more Poople hints, read the pattern examples and backward-solving techniques in the strategy guide. In the solver, Poople mode uses a checked snapshot of Poople.io’s accepted vocabulary; General word ladder mode uses a separate word list.