Side by side
| Scrabble | Words With Friends | |
|---|---|---|
| Tiles in set | 100 | 104 |
| Rack size | 7 | 7 |
| Board | 15 by 15 | 15 by 15, different premium layout |
| Bonus for using all 7 tiles | 50 points | 35 points |
| J value | 8 | 10 |
| Dictionary | NWL (North America) or Collins | The game's own list |
What the smaller bonus changes
In Scrabble, the 50-point bonus is so large that keeping a bingo-friendly rack is often worth sacrificing points now. In Words With Friends, the 35-point bonus still matters but makes that trade less compelling. Strong Words With Friends players lean more on premium squares and high-value tiles.
What the tile values change
Because L, N and U are worth 2 instead of 1, and B, C, M and P are worth 4 instead of 3, common words score a little more. The U in particular becomes a reasonable tile instead of a liability. The J at 10 is as valuable as the Q and Z. Use the Words With Friends Solver to see scores with these values.
The board matters as much as the tiles
Words With Friends places its triple word and triple letter squares differently from Scrabble, and the effect is that big multipliers are easier to reach in some areas of the board. If you play both games, avoid applying Scrabble positional habits in Words With Friends without checking the board.