Countdown solver
Enter the nine tiles from the letters round and see the longest words they make. Start the 30 second timer if you want to beat the clock first.
Guide
How to use it
- Optional: press Start 30 second timer and play the round properly before peeking.
- Type the nine tiles in any order. Vowels and consonants go in the same box.
- Results are grouped by length, longest first, exactly how you would declare them.
- Tap any word to copy it, then check it against Dictionary Corner if you are playing along.
Examples
Worked examples
A dream selection with three nines: EMIGRANTS, MASTERING and STREAMING. Declare any of them for the full 18 points.
One nine hides here: ORDINATES. Miss it and there are still strong eights such as ASTEROID and DETRAINS.
Looks ordinary, hides COURTSIDE for nine. The eights include CORDITES and CURTSIED.
Nearly every contestant finds an eight like ANTIHERO or HOARIEST. The solver also surfaces the borrowed nine SENHORITA.
Method
How it works
The solver counts the letters in your selection and tests every word in its list against those counts, from nine letters down to two. Anything that fits is shown, longest first, the same order you would want to declare in.
The list is ENABLE, a public domain list of about 168,000 words. Dictionary Corner uses the Oxford Dictionary of English, so on rare occasions the two disagree about an obscure word. Everything runs in your browser and the letters you type never leave your device. For blanks and longer racks, use the main word unscrambler.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which dictionary does Countdown use?
Dictionary Corner checks words against the Oxford Dictionary of English. This solver uses the public domain ENABLE list, which overlaps heavily but not perfectly, so a rare word may differ from what the show would allow.
Are plurals allowed on Countdown?
Yes. Regular plurals and verb forms count if they appear in the dictionary, so an S in your selection is valuable.
How many vowels should I pick?
Most contestants ask for three or four vowels in a nine tile selection. Four consonants, then vowels to finish, keeps common endings like ING and ERS available.
Do names and places count?
No. Proper nouns, hyphenated words and abbreviations are not allowed on the show, and this solver does not include them.
What is a good score in the letters round?
A seven is a solid round for most players. Series champions average close to eight, and a nine is rare enough to get applause.
Can I practise against the clock?
Yes. Switch on the 30 second timer above the letters box, enter a selection, find your best word before it runs out, then compare it with the solver's answers.
Does this solver use blank tiles?
No. There are no blanks in the Countdown letters game, so wildcards are switched off on this page. The main word unscrambler supports them.
More tools