Every day, Stepword gives you a little story to climb. Turn COLD into WARM. Turn a DUCK into a LARK. Watch the MOON SAIL by.

Change one letter at a time, and every step on the way has to be a real word. COLD becomes CORD, then CARD, then WARD, and finally WARM.

Tap the letter you want to change and pick its new one, or type the whole word if you prefer. A green tile is a letter already in its place in the goal word, so you can watch the climb come together.

The ladders use the words you say every day, so par, the fewest steps it can be done in, is always within reach. No strange dictionary words. When you finish, you see the par ladder next to yours and how close you came.

Stuck? Every puzzle has three hints, and each one tells you the step it took. Undo is always there. A ladder you finish with a hint still keeps your streak; it just isn't perfect.

New to word ladders? A 30-second practice climb shows you how, and your first two stories come with a few friendly tips.

Finished the daily and want more? A bonus ladder opens 30 seconds after each one you solve, so you can keep climbing without waiting for tomorrow. Missed a day? The last week's stories wait for you in Past ladders, and playing them never touches your streak.

• A new story ladder every day, the same for everyone
• Tap a letter to change it, or type the whole word
• Everyday words, and a par you can actually reach
• See the par ladder when you finish
• Three hints per puzzle, and unlimited undo
• A 30-second practice climb to learn the game
• Bonus ladders when you want more
• Climb the last week's stories you missed
• Your stats, a streak to keep, and a streak freeze for every 7 days in a row
• A result to share without spoiling the answer
• Big, clear letter tiles and a comfortable keyboard
• Light and dark themes, and gentle vibration you can switch off
• No account, no sign-in, no ads, and it works offline

Lewis Carroll invented word ladders in 1877 and called them Doublets. He set each one as a little story: Drive PIG into STY, Change HEAD into TAIL. Stepword brings his idea to your phone for a few friendly minutes a day.

From Ducklark Games, a very small studio on Long Island with one duck.