Sources

Word lists

The main game uses two lists: an answer pool of 1,994 words and a further 2,942 words accepted as guesses. Several game modes use their own pools, described in the valid words guide.

Jorge Michele compiled these lists from several dictionaries, then edited them by hand for play: keeping common words in the answer pool, allowing plurals and past tense forms, and leaving out most proper nouns. They are not copied from a single published list, and this page does not name each dictionary used.

We do not use the official Quordle word list, the Merriam-Webster dictionary or the New York Times Wordle answer list. Where our game behaves differently from those, it is because our list is built differently.

Numbers computed from our own lists

These figures are calculated from the 1,994-word answer pool, not taken from anywhere else:

• the letter frequency table on the starting word tool, repeated on our methodology page;
• the coverage, blank rate, information score and average-candidates figures the tool shows for any word you enter;
• the candidate lists returned by the Quordle solver and the five letter word finder.

Because they come from our list, these numbers change when the list changes.

Outside research we cite

Raw Data Studies, simulation of three-word Quordle openers. Reported to have tested roughly four million three-word combinations, finding that CHIMP, ROBED, SLANT left the smallest average candidate groups, with a 53.5% simulated solve-in-seven rate and an average of 7.562 turns. We cite it on the best starting words guide.

We have not been able to find a public link to this study, so we cannot show you the original. Treat these figures as reported rather than checked.

The history of Quordle

Our account of the game’s origin follows the Wikipedia article on Quordle: an early prototype by David Mah in 2022, the version launched by Freddie Meyer that became popular, and its acquisition by Merriam-Webster in January 2023.

Spotted a problem with a source?

If a source is wrong, out of date or missing, email [email protected]. The Corrections page explains how we handle it.