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Reference guides for search patterns, letter values, and tile distribution

Pattern Syntax Guide

Use these patterns in the Word Finder to search the dictionary. Click any example to try it.

?— Single unknown letter

Matches exactly one letter (A–Z).

*— Any number of letters

Matches zero or more letters. Use to anchor starts, ends, or spans.

Starts with— Prefix search

Place known letters at the start followed by *.

Ends with— Suffix search

Place * at the start followed by known letters.

Contains— Substring search

Wrap the substring with * on both sides, or use the Contains filter.

Exact length— Fixed-length template

Use ? for each unknown position with no *.

Exact word— Validate a word

Enter a word with no wildcards to check if it's in the dictionary.

Available letters— Letter pool / rack constraint

Only show words that can be formed from a set of letters. Each letter is consumed once per use. Use ? for blank tiles.

letters AELRT??

Compound— Combine pattern + filters

Stack Pattern, Contains, Available letters, Starts/Ends with, and length filters. All conditions are ANDed together.

*R?? + ED + DERJTAWL

Letter Values & Tile Distribution

Crossplay point values and number of tiles per letter

Letter	Points	Tiles
A	1	9
B	4	2
C	3	2
D	2	4
E	1	12
F	4	2
G	4	3
H	3	3
I	1	8
J	10	1
K	6	1
L	2	4
M	3	2
N	1	5
O	1	8
P	3	2
Q	10	1
R	1	6
S	1	5
T	1	6
U	2	3
V	6	2
W	5	2
X	8	1
Y	4	2
Z	10	1
? (blank)	0	3

Quick Tips

Bingo bonus:Using all 7 tiles in a single turn earns a 40-point bonus.
2-letter words:Search ?? to see all valid 2-letter words — essential for parallel plays.
Q without U:Search Q* and look for words like QI, QOPH, QADI, QANAT.
High-value hooks:Try ?ZONE or ZONE? to find single-letter extensions of existing board words.