Poople #440 Answer: CRUX to POOP
October 28, 2026 · Medium · 7 moves
Full solution
The shortest path from CRUX to POOP takes 7 moves.
Shortest path
- Step 1CRUXCRUD4th letter, X to D
- Step 2CRUDCRED3rd letter, U to E
- Step 3CREDCOED2nd letter, R to O
- Step 4COEDHOED1st letter, C to H
- Step 5HOEDHOOD3rd letter, E to O
- Step 6HOODHOOP4th letter, D to P
- Step 7HOOPPOOP1st letter, H to P
Just want a hint?
About this puzzle
Par 7 of 11. Rated Medium.
4 distinct shortest path(s) from CRUX to POOP.
CRUX connects to 1 other valid words.
The shortest routes split after move 3 and never agree again before POOP.
Harder than #439 (CYAN, par 5) by 2 move(s). #439 CYAN
Harder than #441 (CART, par 5) by 2 move(s). #441 CART
How the routes branch
Right after CRED, 2 different words keep the route just as short: COED, CREW. None of them rejoin the others before POOP.
This CRUX puzzle is all about CRED. Every path passes through the informal word CRED, then branches to either COED or CREW before reaching POOP.
Bridge words
- CRUX(noun)
- The most important or decisive point of an issue.
- CRUD(noun)
- A substance that is filthy, or refuse, or a scummy deposit.
- CRED(noun)
- informal credit or credibility
- COED(noun)
- A female student in a coeducational institution; a college or university open to both sexes.
- HOED(verb)
- To break up, loosen, or weed soil with a hoe.
- HOOD(noun)
- a covering for the head and neck, often attached to a coat
- HOOP(noun)
- A circular band or ring of metal or wood.
First moves from CRUX
CRUX has only one legal first move, so every solution starts the same way.
Stays on the shortest path: 6 moves left to POOP.
Solve stats
5054 solves were recorded by the time this puzzle was published, and 29% 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: 4m 37s
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 #440 answer?
The #440 start word is CRUX. One shortest path to POOP takes 7 moves: CRUX -> CRUD -> CRED -> COED -> HOED -> HOOD -> HOOP -> POOP.
Why did my first move from CRUX have to be CRUD?
The word CRUX has only one valid neighbor in Poople, which is CRUD. This means that to solve the puzzle, your first move must always be to CRUD. From CRUD, you can then branch out to other words like CRED.
Are there many solutions to the CRUX puzzle?
There are at least 4 solutions to the CRUX puzzle, all of which reach POOP in 7 moves. All of these solutions share the initial path through CRUD and CRED. After CRED, the solutions branch through words like COED or CREW.
What is the meaning of the word CRED in this puzzle?
In this Poople puzzle, CRED refers to an informal term for credit or credibility. It is a key word in all solutions from CRUX, as every path passes through it. From CRED, you can move to words like COED or CREW.
I found a path through COED. Is that a common route?
Yes, paths through COED are part of the shortest solutions for the CRUX puzzle. One such path is CRUX -> CRUD -> CRED -> COED -> HOED -> HOOD -> HOOP -> POOP. COED means a female student in a coeducational institution.