Poople #294 Answer: NAIL to POOP
June 4, 2026 · Easy · 5 moves
Full solution
The shortest path from NAIL to POOP takes 5 moves.
Shortest path
- Step 1NAILFAIL1st letter, N to F
- Step 2FAILFOIL2nd letter, A to O
- Step 3FOILFOOL3rd letter, I to O
- Step 4FOOLPOOL1st letter, F to P
- Step 5POOLPOOP4th letter, L to P
Just want a hint?
About this puzzle
Par 5 of 11. Rated Easy.
3 distinct shortest path(s) from NAIL to POOP.
NAIL connects to 10 other valid words.
The shortest routes split after move 1 and rejoin 3 move(s) later, at move 4.
Easier than #293 (TEAS, par 6) by 1 move(s). #293 TEAS
Easier than #295 (MOJO, par 6) by 1 move(s). #295 MOJO
How the routes branch
Right after NAIL, 3 different words keep the route just as short: FAIL, PAIL, TAIL. Whichever one you pick, the routes lead back together at POOL on move 4.
This puzzle was a real "fail" if you didn't see that "foil" move. Quite the twist at the end, too!
Bridge words
- NAIL(noun)
- A small metal spike driven into wood to fasten things together.
- FAIL(verb)
- be unsuccessful in achieving one's goal
- FOIL(noun)
- A thin sheet of metal; to prevent from succeeding.
- FOOL(noun)
- A person who acts unwisely or stupidly; to trick or deceive someone.
- POOL(noun)
- A small body of standing water, or a game played with cues and balls.
First moves from NAIL
NAIL has 10 legal first moves. 3 of them stay on a shortest path to POOP.
Stays on the shortest path: 4 moves left to POOP.
Costs one extra move: 6 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 #294 answer?
The #294 start word is NAIL. One shortest path to POOP takes 5 moves: NAIL -> FAIL -> FOIL -> FOOL -> POOL -> POOP.
Are there any other ways to solve puzzle #294 besides going through TAIL, PAIL, or FAIL?
No, all shortest solutions for NAIL lead through either TAIL, PAIL, or FAIL as the first step. These three words are the only first moves that keep you on the par of 5 moves to POOP. Other first moves like BAIL or HAIL will add an extra move to your path.
What happens if I start with a word like MAIL or RAIL from NAIL?
If you start with MAIL or RAIL, you will still reach POOP, but it will take you an extra move compared to the par of 5. These moves are valid, but they do not lead to the shortest possible solutions. The shortest paths require starting with FAIL, PAIL, or TAIL.
Do all the shortest solutions for NAIL eventually meet up?
Yes, all the shortest solutions for NAIL converge at the word POOL before reaching POOP. After the initial split from NAIL into FAIL, PAIL, or TAIL, each path eventually leads to POOL. From POOL, there is only one step left to POOP.
NAIL has 10 neighbors. Are all of them good first moves?
While NAIL has 10 valid neighbors, only three of them lead to a shortest solution in 5 moves: FAIL, PAIL, and TAIL. The other seven neighbors, such as BAIL, HAIL, JAIL, MAIL, RAIL, SAIL, and WAIL, will still get you to POOP but will cost you an extra move.