How to play Word Release

Word Release is a browser word board game with nine letter tiles, seven turns per player and five dictionary choices. Play online against another player, choose an Easy, Medium or Expert bot, or practise on your own. You can even share a board while playing in different languages.

Start your first game

1. Sign in or create an account on the game selection screen.
2. Open Language and choose British English, American English, French, German or Spanish. Confirm the language you want to use for new games.
3. Select Start New Online Game, Practice Mode, or a difficulty under Play against a Bot.
4. For your first word, place tiles across or down through the centre square. Tap a board square and then rack tiles, or drag tiles onto the board.
5. Check the Play button for the word and its points, then press it to submit your move.

Build on the board

After the opening move, connect your new word to tiles already on the board. Place your new tiles in a single row or column without empty gaps. Existing letters can form part of your word. Every new main word and side word must be valid in your own dictionary.

You can rearrange your rack with Shuffle and return unplayed tiles with Undo. Pass and Exchange each use a turn. The message beneath the board shows how many turns you have left, including your current turn.

Choose the experience you want

• Play in different languages: each player uses their own dictionary on a shared board.
• Online games: return to your game when it is your turn.
• Bot games and practice: choose a difficulty or experiment by yourself.
• Scoring and bonuses: learn how multipliers, side words and all nine tiles affect your total.

When does a game finish?

New two-player games give each player seven turns. Practice has seven turns in total. Two consecutive passes by opposing players also end a game. In a two-player game, the higher score wins; equal scores are a draw.

Need help finding a word?

Read Hints and Super Hints to learn about playable suggestions, credit costs and which games offer Super Hint.