Poople #422 Answer: GEMS to POOP
October 10, 2026 · Medium · 6 moves
Full solution
The shortest path from GEMS to POOP takes 6 moves.
Shortest path
- Step 1GEMSHEMS1st letter, G to H
- Step 2HEMSHUMS2nd letter, E to U
- Step 3HUMSHUMP4th letter, S to P
- Step 4HUMPPUMP1st letter, H to P
- Step 5PUMPPOMP2nd letter, U to O
- Step 6POMPPOOP3rd letter, M to O
Just want a hint?
About this puzzle
Par 6 of 11. Rated Medium.
14 distinct shortest path(s) from GEMS to POOP.
GEMS connects to 9 other valid words.
The shortest routes split after move 1 and never agree again before POOP.
Harder than #421 (CARB, par 5) by 1 move(s). #421 CARB
How the routes branch
Right after GEMS, 6 different words keep the route just as short: GAMS, GEES, GELS, GETS, GUMS, HEMS. None of them rejoin the others before POOP.
GEMS has a lot of ways to reach POOP, but many of them converge on POMP or PUMP. Those HUMP words are quite the ride!
Bridge words
- GEMS(noun)
- precious or semiprecious stones, especially when cut and polished as for jewelry
- HEMS(noun)
- the edge of a piece of cloth that has been folded under and sewn
- HUMS(verb)
- makes a low, continuous, murmuring sound
- HUMP(noun)
- A rounded protuberance on the back of an animal or a person.
- PUMP(noun)
- A mechanical device using suction or pressure to raise or move liquids, gases, or solids.
- POMP(noun)
- Grand and showy ceremonial display.
First moves from GEMS
GEMS has 9 legal first moves. 6 of them stay on a shortest path to POOP.
Stays on the shortest path: 5 moves left to POOP.
Costs one extra move: 7 moves total to POOP.
Solve stats
3063 solves were recorded by the time this puzzle was published, and 30% of them finished exactly on par.
Each row below groups solves by how many extra moves beyond par they took, from 0 (exactly on par) up to 6 or more. The number on each bar is that group's solve count, followed by its share of the total.
Median solve time: 2m 21s
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 #422 answer?
The #422 start word is GEMS. One shortest path to POOP takes 6 moves: GEMS -> HEMS -> HUMS -> HUMP -> PUMP -> POMP -> POOP.
Are there any first moves from GEMS that don't lead to a shortest path?
Yes, three first moves from GEMS will cost you an extra turn to reach POOP. While GAMS, GEES, GELS, GETS, GUMS, and HEMS all lead to a 6-move solution, FEMS, GENS, and GYMS will result in a 7-move solution.
How many different shortest paths are there from GEMS to POOP?
There are 14 distinct shortest paths from GEMS to POOP, all of which are 6 moves long. These paths explore a variety of intermediate words like BETS, GELD, PEEP, and CAMP.
What are some of the common words found in the shortest solutions from GEMS?
Many of the shortest solutions from GEMS utilize words like HUMP, PUMP, and POMP towards the end of the ladder. For instance, paths like GEMS -> HEMS -> HEMP -> HUMP -> PUMP -> POMP -> POOP demonstrate this convergence.
GEMS has 9 valid neighbors. Which of them are part of a shortest solution?
Six of GEMS’s nine neighbors are part of a shortest solution to POOP. These optimal first moves are GAMS, GEES, GELS, GETS, GUMS, and HEMS.