To solve Phantom Words, slide complete rows or columns into valid words, confirm them, and use every letter tile at least once. Freshly used tiles uncover hidden letters, so the most useful word is often the one that reveals the next part of the board. This guide covers the OnlinePuzzle edition, including its English first-level example and a repeatable method for later puzzles.
Understand the board before moving
A word must occupy a whole continuous horizontal or vertical segment, read left to right or top to bottom, and contain at least three letters. Every letter must be visible, and the result must belong to the selected language’s curated dictionary. A familiar word embedded inside a longer segment does not count by itself.
Drag from a tile, or select one and use the direction arrows. Letters wrap around the ends of their movable segment. Gaps stay fixed. You are shifting a line of tiles, not swapping two individual letters. Check both the row and the column before choosing a direction.
Use coverage as your main decision rule
- Look for an already valid word. Check the confirmation buttons before adding another slide.
- Count unused tiles in each candidate. Each tile used for the first time reveals one hidden letter from the puzzle’s fixed reveal sequence.
- Predict the new arrangement. Follow the end letter as it wraps around; do not judge a move from only the first two letters.
- Confirm and reassess. New information may make your previous plan unnecessary.
Repeated words are not automatically wasted. Their vocabulary points are awarded once, but a repeated word can still use different, previously unused tiles. Tile identity, visibility and usage move with the letter; the square it occupies is not the thing you are collecting.
Worked example: the English Level 1 opening
The first screenshot shows ATC above six hidden tiles. Select a tile in that top row and slide right once. The C wraps around to the start, producing CAT. Confirm CAT: the tested board reaches 3/9 tiles used, shows a score of 105, and reveals SUN in the next row. The move counter remains at one.
SUN is already confirmable, so sliding again would add unnecessary work. The game page documents the rest of this English puzzle: confirming SUN reveals GDO; one left slide makes DOG. This gives a two-slide finish. The screenshots verify the opening, not a completed run. Spanish and Portuguese use separate puzzles, so these English words are an illustration rather than a universal answer.
Plan around special tiles and stars
A gap divides words as well as movement. A locked tile blocks movement until it has been used in a word, although it can participate in that word while locked. Ask whether releasing it will open a useful new route. A multi-letter tile such as CH travels as one piece, but contributes all its letters. A star wildcard supplies one letter; choose an offered valid word before confirming.
For three stars, stay within the displayed move target and avoid hints. Two stars use a more forgiving target, while any finish earns one. Solve for coverage first, then replay for efficiency. Undo restores the arrangement, reveals and score together, making it useful for comparing two ideas without losing track of the original position.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not guess through ghosts, read backwards, or submit only part of a segment. Do not keep sliding after a useful word appears: confirm it and inspect the reveal. Finally, distinguish vocabulary score from completion. A high-scoring word that reuses only old tiles may do less for your immediate progress than a simple word containing fresh tiles.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reveal hidden letters?
Confirm a valid, fully visible word. Each newly used tile reveals one hidden letter; reusing an already covered tile does not produce another reveal.
Why is my word not accepted?
Check its reading direction, full-segment length, visible letters and the current language’s dictionary. Backwards words and partial segments are not accepted.
Do I need to rush?
No mandatory timer applies. Plan the next slide, compare alternatives and use Undo when an experiment does not help.
Do hints prevent three stars?
Hints mark the attempt as assisted. For a three-star attempt, finish within the displayed move target without using hints.
Does changing language keep the same puzzle?
No. English, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese each have 20 puzzles and separate saves. Progress is stored locally when browser storage is available.
Practice these steps in Phantom Words.
Rules reference: the current OnlinePuzzle game page.