ZigWord Tips and Strategy: Solve Hard Levels Faster

Most ZigWord levels can be solved in a couple of minutes, but 300 of the 3,000 main levels are flagged as harder. These habits help on any board.

1. Brainstorm from the theme first

Before touching the grid, list five words that fit the theme. Then look for their first letters. Themes are specific (Bling Accessories, Orchestra Instruments), which narrows the options a lot.

2. Look for common endings

Endings such as -ER, -ING, -ED and -S often sit together. Find them and trace backward to the start of the word.

3. Work from the edges

A tile with only one neighbour must be the first or last letter of a word. Tiles in narrow corridors of the grid are the easiest to place.

4. Remember words can reverse

If a word seems almost present but backward, it probably is. ZigWord accepts paths read in either direction.

5. Count the leftovers

In most levels every tile is used. When you are down to the last answer, the remaining letters spell it, so an anagram of those tiles is your solution.

6. Watch shared tiles

A few boards reuse a tile in more than one answer. On those levels, don’t assume a used letter is finished.

7. Spend tools wisely

Coins pay for the Hint, Firework and Paper Plane tools. Save them for the levels marked hard, and use our step-by-step hints when you only need a nudge.