Why Words With Friends needs its own solver
On the surface Words With Friends looks like Scrabble with a different logo. In practice it plays differently, and one of the biggest reasons is the letter values. Several tiles are worth more or less than their Scrabble equivalents, which changes which words are worth playing.
The solver above applies Words With Friends tile values to every result, so the score next to each word matches what the tiles are worth in the app. That matters most with the letters that moved: H, G, Y, and especially U, which is a poor tile in Scrabble but worth two points in Words With Friends.
Letter values compared
| Letter | Words With Friends | Scrabble |
|---|---|---|
| A, E, I, O, R, S, T | 1 | 1 |
| L, N, U, D | 2 | 1, 1, 1, 2 |
| G, H, Y | 3 | 2, 4, 4 |
| B, C, F, M, P, W | 4 | 3, 3, 4, 3, 3, 4 |
| K, V | 5 | 5, 4 |
| X | 8 | 8 |
| J, Q, Z | 10 | 8, 10, 10 |
In a game with only a few turns left, those differences add up. A J is worth two more points here, and an F is a respectable four-pointer in both games.
Strategy that fits this game
- Use the whole rack when you can. The 35-point bonus is smaller than Scrabble's 50, but it is still larger than most plays.
- Do not hoard the S. There are more S tiles than in Scrabble, so saving them is less valuable. Use them for hooks that score twice.
- Value the U. At two points, a U is not a liability here, and it helps with Q words.
- Play for two-way scores. Parallel plays that form several short words at once are one of the most reliable ways to outscore an opponent.
Keep your own eyes on the boardThe solver can find the best word for your rack, but only you can see the board. Check premium squares and what your play opens for your opponent before committing.
For a full comparison of the two games read Words With Friends vs Scrabble. If you want to see how the same rack scores with Scrabble values, use the Scrabble Word Finder.
Frequently asked questions
Are the tile values the same as in Scrabble?
No, and that is the main reason to use a dedicated solver. In Words With Friends, G is 3 (Scrabble 2), H is 3 (Scrabble 4), L is 2 (Scrabble 1), N is 2 (Scrabble 1), U is 2 (Scrabble 1), Y is 3 (Scrabble 4), B, C, M and P are 4 (Scrabble 3), V is 5 (Scrabble 4), and J is 10 (Scrabble 8). This solver uses the Words With Friends values.
Does it use the Words With Friends dictionary?
It uses the ENABLE word list, which is close to what the game accepts, but the game maintains its own dictionary and adds words over time. A word shown here can occasionally be rejected by the app, and rarely the reverse.
What is the bingo bonus in Words With Friends?
Using all seven tiles in a turn earns a 35-point bonus, compared with 50 points in Scrabble. Because the bonus is smaller, playing for bingos is a little less dominant than in Scrabble.
How many tiles does Words With Friends have?
A full set has 104 tiles, which is four more than Scrabble. That includes two blank tiles. The tile mix is also slightly different, with more E, S, T and D tiles.
Is using a solver allowed in Words With Friends?
The game does not prevent you from using one, but it is considered unsporting against a human opponent who is not also using a solver. It is a good learning tool for reviewing games afterward.
Does the board layout differ from Scrabble?
Yes. Both boards are 15 by 15 but the premium squares are placed differently, so a play that is good in Scrabble can be ordinary in Words With Friends and vice versa. This tool shows tile totals only, so you add premium squares yourself.
How do blanks work?
Blank tiles are worth zero points. Type a ? for each blank and the solver will treat it as any letter while scoring only your real tiles.