Poople #417 Answer - PAIR to POOP in 5 Moves

Shortest verified route

5 moves

PAIR PAIL PALL POLL POOL POOP

Each highlighted letter is the change for that move.

Step by step

Changed letter

PAIR

Starting word

Step 1
PAIL

Change letter 4: R to L
Step 2
PALL

Change letter 3: I to L
Step 3
POLL

Change letter 2: A to O
Step 4
POOL

Change letter 3: L to O
Step 5
POOP

Change letter 4: L to P
Target reached

Verification & puzzle details

Every adjacent pair changes exactly one letter. This is one shortest route; other routes can be equally short. The starting word is not a move: 6 words make 5 changes.

Solution summary

Start: PAIR
Target: POOP
Shortest path: PAIR -> PAIL -> PALL -> POLL -> POOL -> POOP
Puzzle date: Monday, October 5, 2026