WORDFOXY
From a possible word to a useful move
A word finder can produce many suggestions. The useful part is deciding which ones fit your letters, your available space and the way you want to play. This guide walks through that decision with reproducible examples.
Prepared by WordFoxy · Evoque Consulting BV · Examples checked:
1. Start with the space you can use
Before looking for the longest word, inspect the space available. An existing letter may help you use a difficult tile, while a nearby crossing may rule out an otherwise promising word. Enter only the tiles on your rack in My letters. Put an existing sequence in Board letters, or use an exact pattern for fixed positions.
The distinction matters: a Contains filter narrows results to words containing that letter. It does not supply a tile you do not own. When a letter is already on the board, enter it as a board letter instead.
2. Read the three versions of the same word
The table uses the same target word with three different supplies of tiles. First you own every tile. Next, a blank replaces the first letter. Finally, the first letter is already on the board. Open any example to inspect the tile-by-tile explanation in the finder.
The blank contributes zero points even when it represents a valuable letter. An ordinary board tile keeps its face value in the displayed whole-word total, but is not taken from your rack. A blank already on the board must be marked separately as a board blank.
These are reproducible examples from the current word list. Opening one replaces the finder’s current search.
| Letter supply | Your letters | On the board | Result | Tile value | Try this search |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All ordinary tiles | CRATES | — | crates | 8 | Try this search · CRATES |
| First letter supplied by a blank | ?RATES | — | crates | 5 | Try this search · ?RATES |
| First letter already on the board | RATES | C | crates | 8 | Try this search · RATES |
Calculated with Scrabble English. Whole-word tile values only; no premium squares, crossing scores or bonuses. Game eligibility is not checked.
3. Compare the move, not just the number
WordFoxy sorts by the sum of tile values. That is a useful first comparison, but it is not the complete score for a turn. Premium squares, additional crossing words and any all-tiles bonus are not included. Two anagrams using the same ordinary tiles have the same basic tile total. Their placement can still make a large difference.
After choosing a candidate, check every crossing on the actual board. Then look at the letters left on your rack. Using a rare letter now may help your next turn, but an awkward remaining rack can offset a small immediate gain. No single rule makes the longest word the best choice.
Compare these anagrams
4. Use a blank deliberately
Try your ordinary letters first. If you add a blank, compare which letter it replaces and whether you actually need it. Keeping a blank for a later connection can be useful; using it now can also be the right decision when it unlocks the space you need. The tool shows feasible uses, not a prediction of future turns.
For practice, make a small change to one example: remove a letter, add ?, then compare the result. A repeated letter needs a separate tile for every occurrence. A blank covers one position, never two.
5. Check the word before playing
Read the selected meaning when a suggestion is unfamiliar. A word may be an inflection, a specialist term or a spelling variant. The definition and its source help explain that difference. Finding a word here does not establish that a particular game accepts it.
WordFoxy uses general word lists and gives source links. Verify disputed words in the dictionary chosen by your game or opponent, and agree whether a word helper is allowed before using it during a match.
6. Turn a search into a short practice session
Choose one unfamiliar result rather than trying to memorize an entire list. Read its meaning, say how you would use it in a sentence, and try to rebuild it from its letters. Return to it in a later session. Short, specific practice makes the search useful beyond the current rack.
Pick the right English selection
English (US) uses American spellings such as color and center. English (UK) includes forms such as colour and centre. Select the version that matches your puzzle. The regional spelling choice is separate from the tile-value profile and does not select a tournament dictionary.
No result? Check in this order
Clear active filters
A hidden panel can still contain an active length, start, contains or ending filter. New search clears the rack, board and filters together.
Separate rack and board
An existing tile belongs in Board letters. A dot is an empty board position; ? is a blank from your rack.
Count repeated letters
Two occurrences require two tiles, an existing board tile or a blank. A contains filter does not add a missing tile.
Check the word selection
Proper names and words without a selected meaning are hidden by default. Show all suggestions widens the selection, without making those words valid in a game.
Check the language and spelling
The selected language changes the dictionary and its letter rules. If the tool reports a loading error, retry after checking your connection. An empty result is different from a failed download.