If you’re a fan of word puzzles that are both challenging and rewarding, Target is the perfect game to stretch your vocabulary and sharpen your mind. Popular in newspapers and magazines, Target asks players to create as many words as possible from a jumble of nine letters — with a few important rules. Here’s everything you need to know to play Target, whether you’re a first-timer or looking to polish your skills.
What Is Target?
Target is a word puzzle where you’re given nine letters arranged in a random order, typically in a 3×3 grid. Your goal? Make as many words as you can using those letters. But there’s a catch: every word you form must include the center letter of the grid. Usually, players aim to find a set number of words and, most satisfyingly, discover at least one 9-letter word that uses all the letters — known as the target word.
How to Play Target
Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Study the 3×3 letter grid.
You’ll see nine letters arranged in a square, with one letter placed at the center. - Use the center letter in every word.
Every word you create must include the letter in the middle of the grid. - Follow the standard rules for forming words.
- Words must be at least four letters long.
- Words must be real, standard dictionary words — no proper nouns, abbreviations, or hyphenated words.
- Letters can be used only as many times as they appear in the grid (unless stated otherwise).
- Try to find the 9-letter word.
There’s usually at least one word that uses all nine letters. Finding it is the ultimate goal — but partial success counts too!
Click the letters in order to select them. Click delete, to clear the wrd. Once you’re ready to submit the word, click submit. When you want to finish the game, click “finished”.
Target is available as part of Higgster’s Games Compendium, with no adverts, downloadable for all Apple and Android tablets and Phones.
