WordChainGames
Today's chain

Make your own

Word chain generator

Pick a start word, or a start and an end, and get a chain where every pair is a real compound word or phrase. Edit it, print it, or send it as a game.

Your chain

Edit any word. We check each link against our phrase bank.

  2. rainbow
  3. bow tie
  4. tie break: not in our bank, check it's a real phrase
  5. breakfast
Play it

What you can make with it

  • A puzzle for friends. Copy the playable link into a group chat. Everyone plays the same chain and compares hints.
  • Classroom worksheets. Print five or ten chains with the answers on a separate page. Easy mode sticks to the most familiar pairs.
  • Game-night rounds. Write the chain on a whiteboard and reveal one letter at a time, the way the Chain Reaction show does.
  • Word ladders between two words. Put in SNOW and HOUSE and see how few steps it takes: snowball, ballroom... and so on.

Tips for a good chain

The best chains have one obvious answer at each step once you know the neighbours. Words like back, light and line join dozens of others, so they make a chain feel open. Words like pepper or tooth narrow things down. A mix of both is the most fun. For inspiration, see our word chain examples with answers.

FAQ

Questions people ask

How does the word chain generator work?

It walks through our bank of compound words and common phrases, picking a next word that pairs with the current one, without repeats. Give it a start word and a length, or a start and an end word and it finds the shortest route between them.

Can I edit the chain?

Yes. Change any word and each link is checked again. A green tick means the pair is in our bank. A warning means we don't know it, which may still be fine if it's a real phrase where you live.

Can I print word chains for a class?

Yes. Pick a worksheet size of 1, 5 or 10 chains and press Print. The sheet shows the first and last word with blanks in between, and the answer key prints on a separate page.

How do I send a chain to a friend?

Press Copy playable link. Your friend opens it and plays your chain in the browser with the usual hints and letter reveals. They can then send their result back to you.

Keep playing

More word games

Daily Word ChainOne seven-word chain for everyone, new at midnight UTC.Word Chain UnlimitedEndless chains at the difficulty you pick. Keep the streak going.Chain Reaction Word GameThe game-show format. Work in from both ends, alone or with a friend.Last Letter GameStart your word with the last letter of the computer's. 15 seconds a turn.Word Association GameSpot which word belongs with the prompt, or run a party round.Compound Word GameSixty seconds to build as many compound words as you can.