Poople #246 Answer: ALES to POOP
April 17, 2026 · Hard · 8 moves
Full solution
The shortest path from ALES to POOP takes 8 moves.
Shortest path
- Step 1ALESAPES2nd letter, L to P
- Step 2APESAPED4th letter, S to D
- Step 3APEDSPED1st letter, A to S
- Step 4SPEDSLED2nd letter, P to L
- Step 5SLEDPLED1st letter, S to P
- Step 6PLEDPLOD3rd letter, E to O
- Step 7PLODPLOP4th letter, D to P
- Step 8PLOPPOOP2nd letter, L to O
Just want a hint?
About this puzzle
Par 8 of 11. Rated Hard.
7 distinct shortest path(s) from ALES to POOP.
ALES connects to 10 other valid words.
The shortest routes split after move 1 and never agree again before POOP.
Harder than #245 (VOID, par 5) by 3 move(s). #245 VOID
Harder than #247 (BURY, par 5) by 3 move(s). #247 BURY
How the routes branch
Right after ALES, 2 different words keep the route just as short: ALMS, APES. None of them rejoin the others before POOP.
That Ales to Poop puzzle was wild! Sled was a nice pivot, going from an ape to something a bit more dignified.
Bridge words
- APES(noun)
- Large tailless primates such as gorillas and chimpanzees.
- APED(verb)
- Past tense of ape, meaning to imitate or copy someone.
- SPED(verb)
- Past tense of speed, meaning to move very fast.
- SLED(noun)
- A small vehicle on runners for sliding over snow.
- PLED(verb)
- A past tense of plead, meaning to argue or appeal earnestly.
- PLOD(verb)
- To walk slowly and heavily.
- PLOP(verb)
- To fall with a soft sound, like an object dropping into water.
First moves from ALES
ALES has 10 legal first moves. 2 of them stay on a shortest path to POOP.
Stays on the shortest path: 7 moves left to POOP.
Costs one extra move: 9 moves total to POOP.
Stuck on a different word?
Enter your current 4-letter word for the shortest path to POOP.
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Play todayFAQ
What is the Poople #246 answer?
The #246 start word is ALES. One shortest path to POOP takes 8 moves: ALES -> APES -> APED -> SPED -> SLED -> PLED -> PLOD -> PLOP -> POOP.
Why is the par for ALES to POOP 8 moves when the shortest solutions are 7 moves?
The par is set to 8 moves to be achievable by all players, not just those who find the absolute shortest path. While there are 7-move solutions, many first moves from ALES lead to longer paths, such as ACES, AGES, or ALAS, which all add an extra move to the total. The par provides a reasonable target for most players.
Are there any other ways to start the ALES to POOP puzzle besides ALMS and APES if I want to reach POOP in the fewest moves?
No, if you want to solve the ALES to POOP puzzle in the shortest possible 7 moves, your first move must be either ALMS or APES. All other valid first moves from ALES, such as ACES, AGES, or ALBS, will result in a solution that is at least one move longer, making them 8-move paths to POOP.
What is the longest path to POOP if I start with ALES?
The provided information does not specify the longest possible path from ALES to POOP. However, it does indicate that starting with moves like ACES, AGES, or ALAS will add an extra move to your solution compared to the shortest paths. These alternative first moves will result in solutions that are at least 8 moves long.
How does the word APES connect to POOP in the shortest solutions?
One of the shortest solutions from ALES goes through APES, then APED, SPED, SLED, PLED, PLOD, and PLOP before reaching POOP. This path involves changing one letter at a time through words like SPED and SLED, eventually leading to PLOD and PLOP, which are only one letter away from POOP.
