If you’re an avid Wordle player, you’ve likely encountered days when the puzzle feels unusually difficult. Some days, you guess the word in just two or three attempts, while other days, you barely solve it—or fail altogether. But why does Wordle feel harder on certain days? Is it purely psychological, or is there a real reason behind it?

In this article, we’ll explore the factors that contribute to the perceived difficulty of Wordle, including word selection, letter patterns, vocabulary familiarity, and even cognitive biases.

How Wordle Works

Before diving into why some Wordles feel harder than others, let’s recap the basics of the game.

Wordle is a daily word puzzle where players have six chances to guess a five-letter word.

Each guess receives feedback:

Green letters are correctly placed.

Yellow letters are in the word but in the wrong spot.

Gray letters are not in the word.

A new word is available every 24 hours, and players must deduce the correct word based on logical elimination.

While the rules are simple, the challenge varies significantly from one day to the next.

1. The Nature of the Word List

Wordle’s daily words come from acurated list of five-letter words. Originally, creator Josh Wardle used a handpicked set of around 2,500 words, focusing on common words rather than obscure ones. However, after The New York Times acquired Wordle in 2022, it refined the list, occasionally removing controversial or overly difficult words.

Still, some words naturally feel harder due to their structure and how often they appear in everyday language.

For example:

Easier Words: STORM, PLANT, CHAIR – These words are common and contain frequently used letters.

Harder Words: VAGUE, NYMPH, KNOLL– These words are either less common or contain tricky letter combinations.

2. Unusual Letter Combinations and Rare Letters

Words with rare letters (such as Q, X, Z, or J) tend to feel more difficult. Since most players start with common letters (like E, A, T, R, S), a word like "FUZZY" can be challenging because F, Z, and Y are less frequently used.

Examples of difficult words with uncommon letters:

NYMPH – Contains rare letters (Y, M, P, H) and lacks vowels except for "Y."

QUILT – The "Q" is a common stumbling block in word games.

WRONG – The "W" and "NG" combination can make it tricky to guess.

3. Repeated Letters

Words with duplicate letters are often harder because players may not immediately realize a letter appears twice. If you don’t guess a double letter early on, it can delay solving the puzzle.

Examples:

SPELL – The double "L" can be deceptive.

LOOPY – The double "O" and uncommon "Y" add difficulty.

BANAL – The double "A" is unexpected.

4. Vowel and Consonant Distribution

Words with unusual vowel or consonant distributions can also trip up players. Many people rely on a mix of vowels and consonants when guessing. Words that are either vowel-heavy or consonant-heavy can be tricky.

Examples:

AUDIO – Only one consonant, making some guesses feel unproductive.

CRYPT – Few vowels, making elimination harder.

QUEUE – The repetition of "U" and "E" is uncommon.

5. The Starting Word You Choose

Some Wordle players swear by a consistent starting word, such as "ADIEU" (which reveals vowels) or "SLATE" (which includes common consonants). However, if your starting word doesn’t contain any letters from the answer, you might find the puzzle more challenging.

For example:

If the answer is "BRISK" and you start with "ADIEU," you won’t get any useful information.

If the answer is "FIGHT" and you start with "ROAST," you miss three key letters.

This randomness can make some Wordles feel harder than others based on the luck of your starting guess.

6. Cognitive Bias and Perception of Difficulty

Psychology plays a role in how hard a Wordle feels. Some cognitive biases that may influence your perception include:

Recency Bias: If yesterday’s Wordle was easy, today’s might feel harder by comparison.

Expectation Bias: If you assume the word will be common and it’s not, you might struggle.

Anchoring Effect: If your first guess leads you down the wrong path, you may struggle to pivot.

7. Cultural and Linguistic Factors

Some words are easier for native English speakers but harder for those who speak English as a second language. Additionally, regional dialects and variations in spelling (such as "FAVOR" vs. "FAVOUR") may cause difficulty for international players.

Words that might be culturally challenging:

FOYER – More common in British English than American English.

RANCH – Recognizable in the U.S. but less so elsewhere.

KAYAK – Easy for some, tricky for others unfamiliar with the word.

8. The New York Times' Editorial Influence

After acquiring Wordle, The New York Times has adjusted the difficulty of certain words. While the company has denied intentionally making Wordle harder, some players believe that the words have become trickier over time. The NYT occasionally removes words deemed too obscure or controversial, which may subtly alter the difficulty curve.

Tips to Overcome Difficult Wordles

If you’re struggling with a tricky Wordle, here are some strategies to improve your chances:

Start with a strong first word – Use words like "CRANE," "SLATE," or "TRACE" to maximize letter coverage.

Look for double letters – If you’re stuck, consider repeating a letter (e.g., "SLEEP" or "FLUFF").

Use process of elimination – Even if a word seems unlikely, testing new letters can provide clues.

Don’t fixate on one idea – If your guesses aren’t working, reset your thinking and try a different approach.

Practice with Wordle variants – Playing games like Quordle or Dordle can help sharpen your skills.

Conclusion

Some days, Nyt wordle feels harder due to a combination of word selection, letter patterns, cognitive biases, and even the choice of your starting word. While the game’s difficulty varies naturally, understanding these factors can help you improve your strategy and tackle even the trickiest words with confidence.