Every morning, millions of people open their phones just to guess a five letter word in six tries. It sounds simple, but the wrong first word can throw off your entire game. And if you’re like most players, you want to start strong.

Whether you’re a total newbie or a casual Wordle lover, the right starting word can seriously increase your win rate.

In this blog, we’ll share 30 powerful starting words and explain why they work. We’ll also show you how to use interactive presentation software to play Wordle in groups virtually or in-person. You can turn Wordle into a fun team game with live polls, word clouds, and more!

Let’s find out the secret to getting better at Wordle!

What Is the Wordle Game?

Wordle is a fun and addictive word puzzle where you get six chances to guess a hidden five-letter word. With each guess, the game tells you how close you are:

  • 🟩 Green means the letter is correct and in the right spot.
  • 🟨 Yellow means the letter is in the word but in the wrong place.
  • ⬜ Gray means the letter isn’t in the word at all.

The goal? Guess the correct word in as few tries as possible. Wordle is free, simple, and resets daily, making it the perfect quick brain-teaser for your morning routine or team break time.

Why Your First Word Matters in Wordle

In Wordle, your first word gives you your biggest clues. Think of it as your opening move in chess, smart, strategic, and full of possibilities. A great starting word can reveal:

  • Which vowels are in the word
  • Which consonants are ruled out
  • Where letters might or might not go

The goal is to maximize information with minimal effort.

Criteria for a Good Starting Word

Before we dive into the list, here’s what makes a great Wordle opener:

  • Includes common vowels (A, E, I, O, U)
  • Uses frequent consonants (R, S, T, L, N)
  • Avoids repeated letters
  • Balanced mix of letters to gather clues fast

30 Best Starting Words for Wordle (Organized by Strategy)

1. Balanced Vowel-Consonant Combos

Great for eliminating multiple letters fast.

  • SLATE
  • CRANE
  • TRACE
  • SALET
  • REACT
  • STARE

2. Vowel-Focused Starters

Helps figure out the vowel placements early.

  • AUDIO
  • ADIEU
  • AROSE
  • OCEAN
  • MEDIA
  • RAISE

3. Consonant-Rich Guesses

Useful to identify tricky consonants.

  • CRISP
  • BRING
  • STORM
  • FLICK
  • GRANT
  • PLUMB

4. Frequency-Based Picks

Based on most-used letters in English.

  • RATES
  • NOTES
  • TREAD
  • LEAST
  • EARTH

5. Expert Picks (From Wordle Pros!)

Popular words recommended by competitive Wordle players.

  • SLANT
  • ROAST
  • ROUND
  • SHINE
  • TRAIN
  • BLAME
  • CHART

How Slidea Makes Wordle Even More Fun & Interactive

Want to level up your Wordle sessions? Whether you’re a teacher, team lead, or just a Wordle fan hosting game night, Slidea, our interactive presentation software, can turn simple word guessing into an exciting group experience.

Here’s how:

Turn Wordle into a Group Challenge

Use live polls to let participants vote on the next guess. Everyone gets involved, and the group decision-making boosts engagement.

Wordle-themed live poll with question and options on Slidea presenter and viewer screens.

Use Word Clouds to Collect Smart Guesses

Use the word cloud slide lets everyone submit their guess. The most popular ones appear bigger, helping the group decide which word to try next.

Slidea word guessing game interface with presenter and audience screens side by side

Run Wordle Tournaments with Quiz Slides

Want to see who guesses the correct word first? Set up quiz competitions using “Type Answer” or “Select Answer” formats. Track scores in real time!

Wordle quiz slide in Slidea showing question and options with correct answer marked.

Works Seamlessly for Virtual or Hybrid Events

Playing with remote participants? Slidea brings everyone together on one screen, whether they’re in the room or across the globe.

No downloads needed. Just create your presentation and share the link or QR code or number code and go.

Create Your Interactive Presentation

Boosts Thinking, Vocabulary & Team Play

When Wordle becomes collaborative, it encourages:

  • Lateral thinking
  • Vocabulary building
  • Pattern recognition
  • Fun, low-pressure competition

Why Use Slidea for Wordle?

Feature in WordleHow Slidea Makes It Better
Guessing wordsLive polls or word clouds to crowdsource answers
Solo playBecomes a group game virtual or in-person
No leaderboardUse Slidea quizzes to track points and winners
Limited engagementTurns passive players into active contributors

Final Thoughts

Wordle isn’t just about luck, it’s about smart starts and clever strategy. And with Slidea, you can take that experience from solo fun to social genius.

Turn every guess into a team game, a learning opportunity, or just a moment of shared laughter.

FAQs 

Q1. What is the best Wordle starting word for beginners?

SLATE or CRANE, they have common letters and give quick clues.

Q2. Is it better to use vowels first or consonants?

Start with vowels plus frequent consonants to get more information early.

Q3. Can I play Wordle in a group?

Yes! Use interactive presentation software like Slidea to turn it into a live group activity with polls and word clouds.

Q4. How does Slidea make Wordle better?

It lets your group guess together, visualize common answers, and track scores, perfect for virtual meetings or hybrid events.

Q5. What if I get stuck on my second or third guess?

Use info from the first word. Don’t reuse grayed-out letters. Think about what combinations are still valid.