Today's Waffle Answer
Stuck on puzzle #1,685? Waffle hides 6 words in one 5x5 grid, swap two letters at a time to sort them out. Take the hints one rung at a time, or jump straight to all six words. Nothing spoils until you tap.
Hints, one clue at a time
Welcome back, puzzler. Waffle #1,685 for Wednesday, September 2, 2026 is live: 6 five-letter words woven into one grid, and today's starting layout needs 7 swaps to solve (par is 10, the max is 15). If yesterday's grid gave you trouble, today is a fresh waffle.
Here's how this page works: the five hints below start at the corners where words cross and end with the word most likely to eat your swaps, so reveal them one at a time and stop the moment something clicks. All 6 words sit in the pink box further down, locked behind a tap. Nothing here reveals itself on its own, not a crossing letter and not one of the six words.
Corners first, then the word most likely to cost you swaps.
Drumroll, please…
Waffle Answer for September 2
Spoiler below · tap to revealAcross
Row 1
Row 3
Row 5
Down
Column 1
Column 3
Column 5
Tap a tile to reveal one letter at a time, or show all six words.
Yesterday's words (#1,684): TRUER · EXULT · DELAY · TREAD · USUAL · RATTY · full breakdown ›
About today's board
The 9 crossing letters: Row 1 × Column 1 is S, Row 1 × Column 3 is O, Row 1 × Column 5 is N, Row 3 × Column 1 is L, Row 3 × Column 3 is T, Row 3 × Column 5 is E, Row 5 × Column 1 is N, Row 5 × Column 3 is C, Row 5 × Column 5 is E.
Row 1: Medium, Row 3: Easy, Row 5: Medium, Column 1: Easy, Column 3: Medium, Column 5: Medium. Row 1 is the one most likely to slow you down.
Row 1 is worth 8 points, Row 3 is worth 8 points, Row 5 is worth 10 points, Column 1 is worth 5 points, Column 3 is worth 9 points, Column 5 is worth 7 points in Scrabble before any bonus squares.
Puzzle #1,685, published Wednesday, September 2, 2026, solved in 7 swaps out of a 15-swap max.
What today's six words mean
Given or declared under oath.
“His sworn statement convinced the judge of rightful ownership, and the biscuit barrel was returned.”
Capable of being easily bent; flexible.
“I was just admiring this elephant’s lithe proboscis 🐘”
a cavity, hollow, or recess, generally within the thickness of a wall, for a statue, bust, or other erect ornament.
“The love of alcoves; it's a niche interest.”
a large room, especially one used to receive and entertain guests.
“I was delighted with my hair salon today; they took 20% off.”
of, or relating to the eye or to vision.
“I got some new glasses made from yarn; they call it "fibre optics".”
A daughter of one’s sibling, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law; either the daughter of one's brother ("fraternal niece"), or of one's sister ("sororal niece").
“My niece recently introduced me to tick tock; but there's not a clock in sight.”
Waffle strategy that actually helps
Proven habits from top solvers, useful today and every day.
A green tile is already in its correct spot. Never spend a swap on one, mentally set it aside and focus on the white letters that still need to move.
The 9 crossing cells belong to two words at once, so getting them right early clears ambiguity in both directions and tends to cascade into fast progress elsewhere.
A yellow letter belongs somewhere in that word, just not there yet. Look for its correct slot in the same row or column rather than swapping it across the grid.
Pick whichever word already has the most green letters and lock it in first. That often resolves several crossing cells in the words around it for free.
A wasted swap moves a letter somewhere that still isn't its final home. Before tapping, check that both letters you're trading are headed to their actual destinations.
The game allows up to 15 swaps, but a clean solve usually lands closer to 10. If you're creeping toward 15, stop chasing a perfect score and just finish the grid.
How we rate each word's difficulty
Each of the 6 words is scored the same way we score Wordle: how common its letters are in everyday English, whether any letter repeats, and whether its ending follows a familiar pattern. The toughest word on any given day is the one most likely to cost you extra swaps.
An everyday word with a common pattern. Most solvers spot it fast.
A word you know, but not the first one you'd guess.
Uncommon letters or a repeated one. Expect it to eat extra swaps.
Obscure vocabulary or a cruel letter pattern. This is where stars are lost.
How to play Waffle
The rules in full, for anyone arriving without them.
Waffle is a five by five grid shaped like its namesake, holding six five-letter words: three across and three down. Every letter is already on the board, just in the wrong place, so you solve it by swapping letters rather than guessing words.
- 1 Read the colors before you touch anything
Green means the letter is already home. Yellow means it belongs in that word but in a different square. White means it belongs somewhere else entirely.
- 2 Swap any two letters
Tap one letter and then another to trade their positions. Green letters should never move.
- 3 Fix the crossing squares first
Nine squares belong to two words at once, so placing one correctly resolves letters in both directions.
- 4 Solve it in fifteen swaps or fewer
Fifteen is the hard limit. Every swap you save above the minimum earns you a star, and a clean solve usually lands near ten.
Waffle, an independent puzzle at wafflegame.net
5 by 5 waffle grid, 6 words, 9 crossing squares
15 swaps
Midnight in your local timezone
A yellow letter in Waffle means the right word, wrong square, which is far more specific than a yellow in Wordle. Move it within its own row or column instead of sending it across the grid.
Waffle, answered
Quick answers to the questions we get every day.
What time does the new Waffle come out?
Waffle resets at midnight in your local timezone, wherever you are. If the puzzle number in the hero matches the one above your grid, the six words below are today's.
Is Waffle an NYT game?
No. Waffle is made independently and lives at wafflegame.net, separate from the NYT games lineup.
How many swaps do I get?
You get 15 swaps to solve the grid. Fewer swaps earns more stars, and a clean solve usually lands around 10, which is why we call that par.
Can I play past Waffle puzzles?
Waffle doesn't offer an official archive. Our past answers table below carries all six words for each grid we have covered.
What do the stars in Waffle mean?
Stars are what you have left over. Every grid is solvable in a set minimum number of swaps, you are given fifteen, and each unused swap above the minimum becomes a star, up to five. Finishing on the fifteenth swap still counts as a solve, it just scores zero stars and breaks a star streak rather than a solve streak.
Today's hints for every game
Same spoiler-safe format, for each daily puzzle we cover.
Past Waffle answers
Recent Waffle answers, organized by month, with all 6 words for each day. Use it to check a day you missed or settle an argument about a past grid. Today's six words stay blurred until you tap them.
| Date | Puzzle | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 02Today | #1,685 | SWORN, SALON, LITHE, OPTIC, NICHE, NIECE |
| Sep 01 | #1,684 | TRUER, TREAD, EXULT, USUAL, DELAY, RATTY |
| Aug 31 | #1,683 | ROYAL, REACT, AMASS, YEAST, TATTY, LUSTY |
| Aug 30 | #1,682 | FREED, FIFTH, FLUNG, ELUDE, HYENA, DOGMA |
| Aug 29 | #1,681 | HOARD, HAUNT, UNDUE, AIDER, TORUS, DRESS |
| Aug 28 | #1,680 | PIPIT, PANIC, NAVEL, PIVOT, CATTY, TALLY |
| Aug 27 | #1,679 | BERET, BATCH, TIMID, RUMBA, HEAVY, TEDDY |
| Aug 26 | #1,678 | LYING, LODGE, DREAM, INEPT, EXTRA, GAMMA |
| Aug 25 | #1,677 | BEAST, BARGE, ROAST, AWASH, ETHER, TUTOR |
| Aug 24 | #1,676 | GUILT, GECKO, CREPE, INERT, OUTED, TREND |
| Aug 23 | #1,675 | LIKED, LAPSE, PLAID, KOALA, EVADE, DODGE |
| Aug 22 | #1,674 | TWANG, TAPIR, PALER, ALLOW, ROWDY, GIRLY |
| Aug 21 | #1,673 | SHEEN, SCION, IMAGE, EXALT, NUTTY, NEEDY |
| Aug 20 | #1,672 | WIELD, WOVEN, VOTER, EATEN, NANNY, DERBY |
| Aug 19 | #1,671 | ELATE, EDICT, INTRO, ACTOR, TERSE, ERODE |
| Aug 18 | #1,670 | ICING, IDIOM, IGLOO, INLET, MOTEL, GROWL |
| Aug 17 | #1,669 | RODEO, RACER, CRIED, DRIVE, REEDY, ODDLY |
| Aug 16 | #1,668 | FRILL, FLOSS, OVOID, IRONY, STYLE, LADLE |
| Aug 15 | #1,667 | LUMPY, LIPID, PRISM, MOIST, DITTY, YUMMY |
| Aug 14 | #1,666 | WHACK, WORLD, RADIO, AUDIO, DROOL, KNOLL |
| Aug 13 | #1,665 | ERUPT, EXACT, ALIGN, UNION, TINGE, TENSE |
| Aug 12 | #1,664 | FILLY, FRANK, ALOUD, LOOSE, KNEEL, YODEL |
| Aug 11 | #1,663 | TABLE, TRITE, INCUR, BICEP, EMPTY, EARLY |
| Aug 10 | #1,662 | CROCK, CHANT, AGONY, OZONE, TWEAK, KAYAK |
| Aug 09 | #1,661 | CAMEL, CRONE, OCCUR, MICRO, ELOPE, LARGE |
| Aug 08 | #1,660 | CROSS, CREAM, ELFIN, OFFAL, MELEE, SINGE |
| Aug 07 | #1,659 | VIPER, VALET, LEAPT, PSALM, TAMER, ROTOR |
| Aug 06 | #1,658 | SLURP, SHRED, RIPEN, UPPER, DIRTY, PENNY |
| Aug 05 | #1,657 | SHARP, STORE, OWING, ALIBI, EDIFY, PIGGY |
| Aug 04 | #1,656 | FINER, FLASH, ANVIL, NOVEL, HELIX, RELAX |
| Aug 03 | #1,655 | TESTY, TAUNT, URINE, SMITE, TWEED, YIELD |
| Aug 02 | #1,654 | TRUTH, TROOP, OFTEN, UTTER, PARKA, HENNA |
| Aug 01 | #1,653 | GAFFE, GLOOM, OPERA, FIERY, MAYBE, ERASE |
| Jul 31 | #1,652 | WHIRL, WAIST, IMPLY, INPUT, TOTAL, LOYAL |
| Jul 30 | #1,651 | SHINE, SCALD, APART, IRATE, DWELL, EXTOL |
| Jul 29 | #1,650 | AGATE, AVOID, OTHER, ASHEN, DONOR, ERROR |
| Jul 28 | #1,649 | VERSE, VENOM, NEIGH, REIGN, MANIC, ETHIC |
| Jul 27 | #1,648 | CLEAN, CRUMB, USHER, ETHOS, BASTE, NURSE |
| Jul 26 | #1,647 | FOLIO, FAUNA, UNMET, LIMIT, ALTAR, OTTER |
| Jul 25 | #1,646 | BUTCH, STAIN, CHEWY, BASIC, TRADE, HANDY |
| Jul 24 | #1,645 | MERGE, MOTOR, THROB, RERUN, RENEW, ELBOW |
| Jul 23 | #1,644 | WINCE, RAISE, ELECT, WORSE, NOISE, EXERT |
| Jul 22 | #1,643 | PESTO, GRUFF, REFER, PAGER, STUFF, OFFER |
| Jul 21 | #1,642 | CRASH, INGOT, PULPY, CRIMP, ANGEL, HOTLY |
| Jul 20 | #1,641 | EQUAL, CHINA, LEECH, EXCEL, UNITE, LEASH |
| Jul 19 | #1,640 | DEIGN, TRAIL, OCEAN, DITTO, INANE, NYLON |
| Jul 18 | #1,639 | SLUMP, AMBER, TANGY, SHALT, URBAN, PARTY |
| Jul 14 | #1,635 | SWARM, ROOST, BALER, SHRUB, ATOLL, METER |
| Jul 07 | #1,628 | LAUGH, LURED, RISER, UPSET, DITCH, HARSH |
| Jul 06 | #1,627 | BEADY, BURST, RELIC, ALLAY, TRYST, YACHT |
| Jul 05 | #1,626 | BRAKE, BILGE, LIMBO, ADMIT, ENTRY, EPOXY |
| Jul 04 | #1,625 | CREEP, CLANK, AFOOT, EVOKE, KNELL, PETAL |
| Jul 03 | #1,624 | RANCH, REUSE, UDDER, NUDGE, EVERY, HARDY |
| Jul 02 | #1,623 | STARE, SKILL, IMBUE, AMBLE, LEERY, ELEGY |
| Jul 01 | #1,622 | GLEAN, GROOM, ORGAN, EIGHT, MATCH, NINTH |
| Jun 30 | #1,621 | MOUND, MOGUL, GUAVA, USAGE, LIEGE, DRAPE |
| Jun 29 | #1,620 | FLORA, FICUS, CHESS, OVERT, SATIN, ARSON |
| Jun 28 | #1,619 | EQUIP, EMBED, BLIMP, UNIFY, DRYER, PIPER |
| Jun 27 | #1,618 | POLKA, POOCH, OUGHT, LEGAL, HOLLY, APTLY |
| Jun 26 | #1,617 | ANGER, APPLE, PEARL, GLASS, ESSAY, RALLY |
| Jun 25 | #1,616 | TAROT, TIARA, ALIVE, RHINO, AWOKE, THEME |
| Jun 24 | #1,615 | BRUNT, BATHE, TALON, UNLIT, EATER, TENOR |
| Jun 23 | #1,614 | STORM, SPOIL, OUTER, OCTET, LATCH, MIRTH |
| Jun 22 | #1,613 | WIDTH, WRUNG, UNSET, DUSKY, GLYPH, HUTCH |
| Jun 21 | #1,612 | LOBBY, LIVER, VIOLA, BOOTY, RAYON, YEARN |
| Jun 20 | #1,611 | UNDID, UNDER, DEBIT, DEBUG, RUGBY, DOTTY |
| Jun 19 | #1,610 | AGLOW, ABORT, ONSET, LOSER, TORCH, WATCH |
| Jun 18 | #1,609 | LUMEN, LATHE, TYING, MAIZE, EJECT, NIGHT |
| Jun 17 | #1,608 | CRASS, CRANK, ALONE, ABODE, KNEAD, SPEED |
| Jun 16 | #1,607 | IDYLL, ISSUE, SQUAT, YOUNG, EAGER, LATER |
| Jun 15 | #1,606 | WHIFF, WORTH, RUSTY, INSET, HATER, FOYER |
| Jun 14 | #1,605 | DECOY, DOING, IONIC, CONDO, GOOFY, YUCKY |
| Jun 13 | #1,604 | BRUSH, BEARD, AWFUL, UNFED, DODGY, HILLY |
| Jun 12 | #1,603 | PUREE, PINCH, NOBLE, ROBIN, HUNKY, ENEMY |
| Jun 11 | #1,602 | WATER, WHARF, ALBUM, TABOO, FROWN, RAMEN |
| Jun 10 | #1,601 | FROST, FLOUT, OPINE, OVINE, THERE, THESE |
| Jun 09 | #1,600 | ALGAE, ALERT, EMOJI, GROSS, TASTE, ELITE |
| Jun 08 | #1,599 | CRAMP, CHIRP, INBOX, ABBEY, PAYEE, PIXIE |
| Jun 07 | #1,598 | FARCE, FEAST, APING, RAINY, THYME, EAGLE |
| Jun 06 | #1,597 | PERCH, UNCUT, PITCH, PLUMP, RECUT, HATCH |
| Jun 05 | #1,596 | TANGO, THUMB, UNWED, NEWLY, BUYER, ODDER |
| Jun 04 | #1,595 | HUNCH, HELLO, LINEN, NINJA, OVARY, HONEY |
| Jun 03 | #1,594 | SOBER, SHARE, AVIAN, BLISS, EASEL, RENAL |
| Jun 02 | #1,593 | SLEET, EXIST, LOGIN, SPELL, EKING, TITAN |
| Jun 01 | #1,592 | DRANK, DEBAR, BOOZE, ALONG, RIGID, KNEED |
| May 31 | #1,591 | SLACK, AROSE, YEAST, SCARY, AROMA, KNELT |
| May 30 | #1,590 | SYRUP, STOLE, OPTED, RETRO, EBONY, PUDGY |
| May 29 | #1,589 | ELDER, DRAWN, WEAVE, ENDOW, DRAMA, RINSE |
| May 28 | #1,588 | CLUED, CYNIC, NATAL, UNTIE, CREME, DELVE |
| May 27 | #1,587 | VIRAL, CABIN, RIDER, VICAR, ROBED, LINER |
| May 26 | #1,586 | BRAIN, BRICK, IDLER, ALLOT, KITTY, NERDY |
| May 25 | #1,585 | RULER, MAMBO, ANNOY, RUMBA, LEMON, ROOMY |
| May 24 | #1,584 | WHEAT, INERT, DETER, WEIRD, EVENT, TUTOR |
| May 23 | #1,583 | MANIA, SEWER, NERVE, MASON, NEWER, AGREE |
| May 22 | #1,582 | BRASH, SKIMP, TASTY, BESET, AMISS, HIPPY |
| May 21 | #1,581 | DREAM, LEARN, ARENA, DELTA, EVADE, MANGA |
| May 20 | #1,580 | CATCH, ABATE, EXTRA, CHAFE, TOAST, HYENA |
| May 19 | #1,579 | CLUMP, ELUDE, TULLE, CHEAT, USUAL, PIECE |
| May 18 | #1,578 | METRO, REACT, LILAC, MURAL, TRAWL, OPTIC |
| May 17 | #1,577 | LEAFY, CHUNK, DRESS, LUCID, ACUTE, YIKES |