Dordle is an exciting twist on the viral Wordle word puzzle, created by indie developer Guilherme Tows (known online as Zaratustra) in early 2022. The game became an instant hit among word-game lovers and brain training enthusiasts as a free online game that requires no download – just open your browser on desktop or mobile and you’re ready to play.
In Dordle, you must guess two five-letter words at the same time, making it “Wordle plus Wordle” and a much tougher challenge. This guide will explain Dordle’s origins, how to get started, game rules, strategies, and the benefits of playing this daily word challenge. By the end, you’ll be ready to become a Dordle master and join the fun of this unique word game.
Origin: Zaratustra and the “Double Wordle”
Dordle was born in January 2022, inspired by the immense popularity of Wordle. As gaming writer Kara Santos reports, Dordle “asks players to figure out two five-letter words, with the clues appearing on both puzzles simultaneously”. Guilherme Töws, a Brazilian indie developer now living in London, operates under the moniker Zaratustra.
Zaratustra created Dordle (described as “wordle plus wordle”) and released it online in mid-January 2022. PhilSTAR News noted that Dordle quickly gained a following by doubling the Wordle challenge and giving players seven attempts to solve both words instead of six.
In fact, word-game media like Kotaku even call Dordle “extremely difficult” and a “nightmare” variant of Wordle, warning that “only accomplished word-guessers should give this one a try” because it requires guessing two words in just seven tries. Dordle’s clever concept and escalating difficulty have spawned many fans and imitators (like Quordle and Octordle), but Dordle remains the original double-Wordle experience.
Compared to Wordle (the original single-word puzzle), Dordle is notably harder. Wordle gives six guesses to find one target word each day, whereas Dordle gives seven guesses to find two target words in parallel. Because you get clues on both boards from every guess, you can leverage each letter you enter to help solve both words.
This “brain training” aspect makes Dordle appealing as a brain workout game – it’s a daily word challenge that tests vocabulary and problem-solving on a deeper level. Indeed, word-game guides point out that Dordle’s high difficulty highlights how well-balanced Wordle is, since Wordle “feels almost perfectly tuned to reward players at any skill level,” whereas Dordle demands near-perfect guessing on every move.
Dordle kicked off a family of “dle” word games. Notably, Quordle (four words at once) was explicitly inspired by Dordle. Quordle’s Wikipedia page notes it was “inspired by Wordle and Dordle” and challenges players to solve four Wordle-like puzzles in nine turns. Other variants like Octordle (eight words) and Sedecordle (16 words) ramp up the challenge even further (for example, Octordle gives 13 guesses for eight words. We’ll compare Dordle to these briefly below, but first let’s focus on how you can play Dordle itself.
How to Access Dordle Online
The good news is that Dordle is completely free and plays right in your web browser. You do not need to download any app or software – just visit the official Dordle page on Zaratustra’s itch.io site. Itch.io hosts many indie games, and Dordle’s page is where Zaratustra releases it. The site says simply: “Wordle plus Wordle. Play in your browser”. In fact, the itch.io listing confirms Dordle is HTML5-based and playable on any computer or mobile device with internet access, highlighting that it’s a browser game that’s easy to access anytime.
To play, just go to the Dordle page (for example, zaratustra.itch.io/dordle) and click “Play in browser.” There is no login or account needed – the game saves your progress (and daily streaks) automatically in your browser. Once you’re on the game page, you’ll see two side-by-side grids and a keyboard – you’re ready to start guessing. Because it’s web-based, Dordle works on desktops, tablets, and smartphones alike. That means you can enjoy this puzzle game for adults on the go or at home, wherever you have a screen and connection.
Notably, Dordle also offers two modes: Daily Dordle and Free Play. In Daily Dordle mode, all players get the same pair of words each calendar day (just like Wordle’s daily puzzle). This creates a shared daily word challenge – you can compare scores and streaks with friends or the online community. In Free Play mode, the game will give you a new random puzzle every time, with no limit on how often you play. Free Play is great for practice and experimentation once you have your fill of the daily brain teaser.
Gameplay: Step-by-Step Guide
Playing Dordle involves the same basic logic as Wordle, but applied to two grids at once. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial to get you started:
- Start a new game. When you launch Dordle, you’ll see two blank 5×? grids (for two words) and a large on-screen keyboard (or your keyboard). You have 7 total guesses to find both secret words. (Unlike Wordle’s 6, Dordle gives one extra guess to account for the extra word.)
- Enter your first guess. Type any five-letter word and submit it. That guess is applied simultaneously to both boards. For example, if you enter CRANE, it will appear in the first row of both word grids. See the screenshot below for an example of an initial guess:
In the image above, the player has made their first guess “CRANE” on both Dordle boards. Each letter will now reveal clues on both puzzles. Note how the letter N turned green on the right board (meaning N is correct and in the right position in that word) while A turned yellow on the left (A is in the word but in the wrong spot). Letters C, R, and E might have turned gray if they’re not in either word, for example. - Analyze the color feedback. After each guess, letters will light up in different colors to show how your guess compares to the hidden words:
- Green: The letter is in the word and in the correct position. Yellow (or Purple): The letter is in the word but in the wrong position. Gray: The letter is not present in that word. (In Dordle specifically, a gray tile on one board means the letter is not in either of the words).
- Make your next guess. Use the clues to inform your next five-letter guess, again applying it to both words. The second screenshot shows an example of a second guess:
In this example, the player’s second guess was “STAND”. Note how letters from the first guess have already gotten feedback (e.g. “A” was yellow on the left grid before), and now the game shows new colors for S, T, A, N, D. The letter A might now appear green on one board, meaning you’ve placed it correctly. On the other board, S or T might turn yellow if those letters are in the word but not in that spot. Continue using both boards’ feedback in tandem. - Solve both words. Keep guessing up to seven times. You can focus on one board at a time once one word seems obvious, or balance clues between them. Each guess gives you feedback on both words simultaneously. Aim to get all letters green on both grids by the end. The game ends successfully when you’ve guessed both words (all green tiles), or fails if seven guesses pass without solving both.
The final example above shows later guesses as the player works toward the solution. Eventually they guess both target words and complete the puzzle. Notice how strategically placing letters leads to more green (correct) tiles until both words are solved. Dordle’s interface also lets you share your results or take a screenshot when you win (though be careful spoiling it!).
Key Rules Recap
- Two words at once: Solve two five-letter words in one game.
- Seven guesses: You have seven tries total to find both words (the game tracks a single guess count, not separately for each word).
- Color hints: After each guess, letters will turn green/yellow/gray just like Wordle. Green is correct spot, yellow (or purple) is right letter wrong place, and gray means the letter isn’t in the target word. Importantly, gray on one board means it isn’t in either word.
- Keyboard feedback: Like Wordle, letters on the on-screen keyboard will also color-code to remind you of which letters are known/used. In Dordle, each keyboard key might have two color segments (one for each word), indicating feedback on both grids.
- Game modes: Choose Daily mode (new shared puzzle each day) or Free Play (random puzzles anytime).
Strategy and Tips
Winning Dordle consistently requires smart guessing and strategy. Here are some tips to boost your success rate:
- Start with strong opener words. Use a first guess packed with vowels and common consonants. Words like “CRANE,” “SLATE,” or “RADIO” are popular because they cover many high-frequency letters. (Mathematical educator Grant Sanderson even suggests “CRANE” or “SLOTH” as optimal Wordle starts, advice which extends to Dordle). Some players like to include 2–3 different vowels on the first try, since vowels are often the hardest to pin down. For example, one source advises starting with Latin (L-A-T-I-N) to test both multiple vowels and common letters L and T.
- Use the dual feedback carefully. Remember that each guess gives you clues for both words. If a letter is gray on one board, it’s not in either word – a powerful elimination rule. For instance, if “E” is gray on the left grid, then neither word contains E, so you can skip E entirely in both puzzles. Similarly, a green or yellow on one board only tells you about that position in that word; you must treat each grid separately even though the same word is entered.
- Solve one word first. Often, it’s strategic to use early guesses to identify one word quickly, then focus on the second. For example, aim to get one word all green first (by deducing its letters and positions). Once one word is known, concentrate all remaining guesses on the other board. In fact, Dordle itself recommends this: after a couple of initial “throws” to gather info, identify the first word, then switch focus to the second. This can save guesses and mental load.
- Balance risks and coverage. Since you only have seven guesses total, each guess counts double. If you feel stuck, don’t be afraid to try a “safe” word with mostly unused letters to maximize new information. But avoid reusing known dead letters in both boards, as that wastes a precious guess.
- Use practice mode wisely. The Free Play mode is perfect for drilling strategies. Try out different start words or approaches (e.g. focusing on vowels first vs. consonants) without affecting your daily streak. Many Dordle players warm up on Free Play to hone their intuition in these brain training games.
- Review your result. If you solve the puzzle, the game will show which guesses got you there. Studying the post-game summary can reveal patterns (e.g., which common letters often trip you up) and improve your choices in future puzzles.
Comparing Dordle to Wordle and Other Games
Understanding where Dordle sits among word puzzles can help set expectations and give you ideas for similar fun games:
- Wordle: The original daily 5-letter word game (launched 2021) by Josh Wardle. Wordle gives six tries to find one word. Dordle takes that formula and doubles the challenge. If you enjoy Wordle, Dordle offers a tougher spin – you must juggle clues from two words simultaneously. Like Wordle, Dordle has only one official puzzle per day (unless you use Free Play), making it a classic “daily word challenge”.
- Quordle: A Wordle variant where you solve four words at once. Quordle was explicitly “inspired by Wordle and Dordle”. It gives nine guesses to solve all four puzzles simultaneously. While Dordle has 2 words in 7 guesses, Quordle has 4 words in 9 guesses – a step up in difficulty. Quordle also features daily and practice modes. Like Dordle, Quordle is free to play in the browser and is popular for group challenges.
- Octordle and Sedecordle: These extreme variants expand the idea further. For example, Octordle (by Kenneth Crawford) presents 8 words with 13 guesses. Similarly, Sedecordle has 16 words. Each increase tests how far you can scale this multi-word concept. Researchers and players often progress: Wordle (1 word), Dordle (2 words), Quordle (4), Octordle (8), Sedecordle (16). These games show “what happens when smart people mess around for fun” with Wordle’s formula.
- Others: Many whimsical Wordle spin-offs exist. Kotaku even highlights games like Lewdle (Wordle but with only “lewd” words) and Absurdle (an adversarial Wordle variant). There are language puzzles (e.g. Heardle for songs, Globe for geography, Nerdle for math), but for word-guessing fans, the above multi-word challenges are the most comparable. If Dordle feels fun, you might also try Wordle-chains like Connections or Crosswordle which blend word thinking with new twists. Many puzzle sites (like the official Wordleverse collection) list Dordle alongside similar games.
In summary, Dordle stands out by testing two-words-at-once in a fun, challenging word game format. It’s suitable for anyone who found Wordle too easy and wants the next level of puzzle difficulty.
Benefits of Playing Dordle
Why play Dordle (beyond the obvious fun of word puzzles)? Here are some benefits, especially for adult players looking for brain-stimulating activities:
- Cognitive Exercise: Word puzzles are great for your brain. Dordle in particular is a brain training game – it exercises vocabulary recall, pattern recognition, and logical deduction. As one guide notes, Dordle “is a fun way to enhance your vocabulary, improve your problem-solving skills, and have a satisfying mental workout”. Each round encourages quick thinking about letter placement and word structure, which can sharpen mental agility over time.
- Daily Challenge Motivation: Having a “Daily Dordle” puzzle creates a habit and goal to look forward to. Completing the daily challenge can be a satisfying little achievement, giving a positive boost. The shared nature (everyone solves the same words) also means you can compare progress with friends or online – fostering a sense of community among puzzle fans.
- Entertainment Value: Beyond training, Dordle is just plain fun. It adds suspense and excitement to guessing words with the risk of a tough second word looming. The colorful feedback and the thrill of solving puzzles make for casual entertainment. Because it’s online and bite-sized, you can enjoy Dordle during a coffee break or commute for a quick brain teaser.
- Accessibility: Dordle is free and easy to access (no downloads), which lowers barriers to play. It runs on nearly any device via a browser. This means adults of all ages can try it – from teens to retirees – making it a versatile puzzle game for adults (and kids, too, if they like word games). It’s a safe, advertiser-friendly game with no violence or sensitive content, so it’s widely appropriate.
- Social and Repetition: Many players enjoy sharing results on social media or messaging, turning Dordle into a social game. Seeing a friend solve a hard puzzle might encourage you to do the same. Also, playing the Free mode repeatedly can strengthen skills, as review suggests you identify optimal guessing strategies (e.g. figuring out vowels early) that can be reused.
Accessibility and Platforms
One of Dordle’s strengths is its ease of access. As noted, it’s mobile and desktop-friendly since it’s all online. Whether you have a high-end PC or a budget smartphone, you can play Dordle as long as you have an internet connection. The itch.io platform ensures that the interface scales to your screen, and you can use either the on-screen keyboard or your physical keyboard to type guesses. In summary, Dordle checks all the boxes for convenience:
Because of this accessibility, Dordle is perfect for anyone looking for free online games or “just something to do on my phone” without hassles. Plus, its family-friendly nature means it’s often listed on casual gaming sites and collections (often alongside Wordle, Quordle, Octordle).
Try Dordle and Similar Games!
If you’re ready for a more challenging daily puzzle, give Dordle a try today. You can start by visiting Zaratustra’s official page and playing a practice round. Remember, practice mode is there so you can get comfortable with the mechanics before tackling the daily challenge.
After you conquer Dordle, you might also explore the other fun word games in its family. Quordle will test your brain with four words (nine tries), and Octordle goes even further with eight words (thirteen tries). There are also trivia versions like Heardle (guessing songs) or geography puzzles like Worldle for variety. No matter what you choose, each of these games offers a free mental workout and daily word puzzles to keep you sharp and entertained.