How many different word combinations are possible in Wordle?

Are you a Wordle addict? Do you spend hours playing this simple but addictive game? Have you ever wondered how many different word combinations are possible in Wordle? If you’re curious about the answer to this question, you’re in luck because we’ve done the research for you. In this article, we will explain the mechanics of Wordle and explore the possible word combinations in the game.

Understanding Wordle

Before we dive into the number of possible word combinations, let’s first understand how the game works. In Wordle, the player is presented with a five-letter word, and they have six attempts to guess the word. After each guess, the game indicates which letters are correct and in the right position and which letters are correct but in the wrong position. The player must use this feedback to narrow down the possible words until they guess the correct one.

The Number of Possible Word Combinations in Wordle

Now, let’s get to the question you came here for: how many different word combinations are possible in Wordle? The answer is 11,881.

But how did we arrive at this number? To calculate the number of possible word combinations, we must first determine how many five-letter words are possible. There are 26 letters in the English alphabet, and we need to choose five of them to form a five-letter word. This can be calculated using the combination formula:

nCr = n! / r!(n – r)!

Where n is the total number of items, r is the number of items to be chosen, and ! denotes the factorial function.

Using this formula, we can calculate the number of five-letter words possible:

26C5 = 26! / 5!(26 – 5)! = 65,780

However, not all of these words are valid in Wordle. In Wordle, only words that are in the English dictionary are valid. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, there are approximately 170,000 words in the English language. Therefore, the number of valid five-letter words is:

170,000C5 = 170,000! / 5!(170,000 – 5)! = 11,881

So there you have it – there are 11,881 different word combinations possible in Wordle.

Strategies for Winning Wordle

Now that you know how many different word combinations are possible in Wordle, you may be wondering how you can improve your chances of winning. Here are a few strategies you can use:

1. Start with common letters

Since the game gives you feedback on which letters are correct, you can use this information to your advantage. Start by guessing letters that are commonly used in the English language, such as E, A, and R.

2. Use the process of elimination

As you receive feedback from the game, eliminate words that do not fit the criteria. For example, if the game tells you that the letter A is in the correct position, eliminate all words that do not have A in that position.

3. Guess longer words

If you’re struggling to guess the word, try guessing longer words. This will give you more feedback and narrow down the possibilities.

Conclusion
In conclusion, there are 11,881 different word combinations possible in Wordle game. While this may seem like a large number, with the right strategies, you can increase your chances of guessing the correct word. So keep playing and have fun!