Scrabble has stood the test of time, not just as a board game but as a battle of wits. Played on a 15×15 grid with letter tiles, it challenges players to build high-scoring words while thinking several moves ahead. Scrabble is popular in over 120 countries and is available in 30+ languages worldwide. But if you’re new to the game, the rules for Scrabble can be a little confusing. What’s allowed? How do bonus squares work? And how do you actually win? This guide will walk you through the official Scrabble rules and how to play Scrabble step by step.
Scrabble Rules at a Glance
In simple terms, players have to form words in Scrabble using letter tiles given to them, just like with the crossword puzzle. The rules are different.
- Each player starts with 7 letter tiles drawn randomly from the tile bag.
- Words must be read left to right (rows) or top to bottom (columns).
- The first word must be placed on the center star square.
- All words must be valid and found in a standard dictionary.
- New words must connect to at least one existing word on the board.
- Letter bonuses (Double/Triple Letter) apply before word multipliers.
- Blank tiles can be used as any letter but have zero point value.
- After each turn, players draw new tiles to maintain 7 in hand.
- The game ends when all tiles are used or no moves are possible.
- The player with the highest total score wins.
How to Play Scrabble: Step-by-Step
Objective
The object of the game is to score more points than opponents by forming valid words on the game board using letter tiles. Words must connect like a crossword puzzle. Only words found in a standard dictionary are allowed in the game. The player with the highest score wins at the end of the game.
Scrabble Game Board
The Scrabble board is a 15×15 grid with 225 squares, laid out like a crossword puzzle. It features color-coded premium squares that impact scoring. Double Letter (light blue) and Triple Letter (dark blue) squares increase the value of individual tiles, while Double Word (pink) and Triple Word (red) squares multiply the total word score.
The center square, marked with a star, is pink and serves as the starting point for the first word. The Scrabble board’s symmetrical design ensures fair play. To succeed, players must not only build valid words but also take full advantage of these colored bonus squares and maximize their points.
| Premium Square | Full Form | Effect on Scoring | Color on Board |
| DLS | Double Letter Score | Doubles the point value of the tile placed on that square | Light Blue |
| TLS | Triple Letter Score | Triples the point value of the tile placed on that square | Dark Blue |
| DWS | Double Word Score | Doubles the total score of the entire word that includes that square | Pink |
| TWS | Triple Word Score | Triples the total score of the entire word that includes that square | Red |
Letter Values and Frequencies
| Letter | Point Value | Number of Tiles |
|---|---|---|
| A | 1 | 9 |
| B | 3 | 2 |
| C | 3 | 2 |
| D | 2 | 4 |
| E | 1 | 12 |
| F | 4 | 2 |
| G | 2 | 3 |
| H | 4 | 2 |
| I | 1 | 9 |
| J | 8 | 1 |
| K | 5 | 1 |
| L | 1 | 4 |
| M | 3 | 2 |
| N | 1 | 6 |
| O | 1 | 8 |
| P | 3 | 2 |
| Q | 10 | 1 |
| R | 1 | 6 |
| S | 1 | 4 |
| T | 1 | 6 |
| U | 1 | 4 |
| V | 4 | 2 |
| W | 4 | 2 |
| X | 8 | 1 |
| Y | 4 | 2 |
| Z | 10 | 1 |
| BLANK | 0 | 2 |
Gameplay
The game starts with two players, who are each given seven tiles from the tile bag.
Each player places their tiles on their rack. The first player takes two or more letter tiles and combines them to form a word. He/She then places them on the Scrabble board either across or down, keeping one letter on the center square. Forming diagonal words is not allowed. After forming a word, they’ll receive replacement tiles for each letter placed on the board.
Now, it’s the second player’s turn to do the same. Both players alternate turns until the end of the game— forming a word with a certain number of tiles (2-15), replacing the played tiles. Players must keep 7 tiles at all times on each rack, unless there are not enough tiles in the bag.
Each player must, on their turn, form a word either horizontally or vertically. The letters arranged across or down must also form only a single word (as per the acceptable word rules), without any gaps. Every new word that is being formed should be connected to the existing words in one of the following ways:
- Extend an existing word
Add one or more letters to a word that’s already on the board to form a new word.
Example: Add “S” to “MAKE” to form “MAKES”. - Build a word perpendicular to another
Place a new word that crosses an existing word at a shared letter. The new word must connect with the old one by sharing at least one letter.
Example: Add “TAP” vertically, sharing the “A” from “RANK” already placed horizontally. - Place a word next to another to form multiple words
Lay down a new word parallel to an existing one so that adjacent letters between the two form complete words. Ensure that every side-by-side pair of letters forms a valid word.
Example: Place “TOE” parallel to “INN”, so that “T-I”, “O-N”, and “E-N” form valid two-letter words.
Each blank tile can represent any letter chosen. When a player places it on the board, they must say which letter it represents. It stays that letter for the rest of the game.
Scrabble allows the exchange of some, all, or none of the letters played. Each player can do so on one of their turns (only once).
To use it, a player must place the removed letters in a face-down position. First, draw the same number of letters from the remaining tiles. Then, mix the removed letters into the pool to complete the turn.
A player can exchange as many tiles as they want from their rack, but only if that number of tiles is still available in the tile pool. Naturally, they can’t exchange more than they actually have.
Note: In timed Scrabble rules, a player must start the opponent’s clock immediately after announcing their score—it is done before drawing tiles from the bag.
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How does the game end?
The game ends under two conditions:
- All tiles are either on the board or in players’ racks, and one player plays their final tile.
- Both players make two consecutive exchanges each, with no plays in between (total of four tile exchanges).
Scoring
Scoring in Scrabble is based on the total point value of the tiles used to form or modify words on each turn, including additional points obtained from Premium Squares. Each letter tile carries a point value, as given above.
- Premium Letter Squares and Premium Word Squares can increase a player’s score appreciably. A tile placed on a light blue square (Double Letter Score) earns double its point value, while a tile on a dark blue square (Triple Letter Score) earns triple.
- For Premium Word Squares, any word that includes a tile placed on a pink square (Double Word Score) or a red square (Triple Word Score) will have its total value multiplied accordingly.
The scoring calculation follows a specific order: Letter bonus → Word multiplier → Total score
For instance, if a word covers both a Triple Letter and a Double Word cell, the calculation goes like is (Letter score × 3) → Word score → Word score × 2
If a word covers two word multiplier squares—such as two Double Word Scores—the score is multiplied sequentially (2×2 = 4× the word score). Similarly, if a word covers two Triple Word Squares, the result is a ninefold increase (3×3 = 9× the word score). These are also known as “double-doubles” and “triple-triples.”
If a blank tile is placed on a Double or Triple Word Score (pink or red square), the value of the word still gets the bonus, even though the blank tile is worth zero points.
When a move creates more than one word, each word is scored separately. Any shared letter between them is counted fully (including any premium bonuses) for each word.
Keep in mind: letter and word bonuses only apply during the turn a tile is placed on the premium square. In future turns, tiles on those squares are scored at their regular face value.
Bingo Bonus
The highest single-turn bonus comes from playing all seven tiles in a single move. It is known as a “Bingo.” A flat 50-point bonus is added on top of the normal score for Bingo.
Scores are tallied after each turn and tracked throughout the game. Premium squares only apply when a tile is first placed on them; any reused squares in later plays provide no additional bonuses.
Final Score with Unplayed Tiles
At the end of the game, players must subtract the total point value of any unplayed tiles remaining in their rack from their final score. But if a player uses all of their tiles, they get an extra bonus, which is equal to the sum of all other players’ unplayed tile points added to their score.
Dealing with Ties
In the case of a tie, the winner is the player with the higher score before subtracting points for leftover tiles. In match formats, if players win one game each, the combined total of both game scores determines the match winner.
If that total is also tied, the match is considered a draw.
Cases for a Scoreless Turn
- Players pass their turn without playing.
- Players exchange tiles instead of placing any on the board.
- Players lose a challenge after disputing a word.
- Players make an illegal move, such as placing a non-word or misusing tiles.
- Rarely, a turn might be scoreless if the player lays down only blank tiles, which have zero point value. However, this is highly unlikely in actual gameplay.
Example Score Calculation:
PLAYER 1’s TURN (“FASTEN” at 8D)
- F on Double Letter Score (DLS)
- N on the center Double Word Score (DWS).
Calculation:
- Base Letter Values:
- F = 4, A = 1, S = 1, T = 1, E = 1, N = 1
- Apply Premiums:
- F: 4 × 2 (DLS) = 8
- Sum Adjusted Letters:
- 8 (F) + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 13
- Apply Word Premium:
- 13 × 2 (DWS) = 26
Player 1’s Score: 26 points
Player 2’s Turn (“FASTENED” at 8A)
- Extends “FASTEN” by adding E and D:
- E on Triple Letter Score (TLS)
- D on Triple Word Score (TWS).
Calculation:
- Base Values for New Tiles: E = 1, D = 2
E: 1 × 3 (TLS) = 3
Existing tiles (F, A, S, T, E, N) = 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 9
New tiles: 3 (E) + 2 (D) = 5
Total = 9 + 5 = 14
14 × 3 (TWS) = 42
Player 2’s Score: 42 points
PLAYER 1’s TURN (“INFOLDS” at 9D)
- Uses a blank for I (0 points).
- F on DLS, O on TLS.
- Forms crosswords: IN, NF, FO, OL, LD.
Calculation:
- Main Word (“INFOLDS”):
- Letters: I (0), N = 1, F = 4 × 2 (DLS) = 8, O = 1 × 3 (TLS) = 3, L = 1, D = 2
- Sum: 0 + 1 + 8 + 3 + 1 + 2 = 15
- Word Premium (DWS): 15 × 2 = 30
- Crossword Scores:
- IN: 0 + 1 = 1
- NF: 1 + 8 = 9
- FO: 8 + 3 = 11
- OL: 3 + 1 = 4
- LD: 1 + 2 = 3
- Total crosswords: 1 + 9 + 11 + 4 + 3 = 28
- Add 50-Point Bonus:
- Total = 30 (main) + 28 (crosswords) + 50 (bonus) = 108
Player 1’s Score: 108 points
Player 2’s Turn (“QUICKLY” at E4)
- Covers two DWS squares.
Calculation:
- Base Letter Values:
- Q = 10, U = 1, I = 1, C = 3, K = 5, L = 1, Y = 4
- Sum Letters:
- 10 + 1 + 1 + 3 + 5 + 1 + 4 = 25
- Apply Double Word Premiums:
- 25 × 2 × 2 = 100
Player 2’s Score: 100 points
Final Scores:
- Player 1: 26 + 108 = 134 points
- Player 2: 42 + 100 = 142 points
Player 2 leads 142–134.
Acceptable Words in Scrabble
Any word containing 2-15 letters that is accepted by a pre-determined dictionary or lexicon is accepted in Scrabble word formation (including its plural and inflected forms).
- Plurals, tenses, and other word forms are allowed if the base word is valid.
- Words with capital letters, hyphens, or apostrophes are forbidden (proper nouns), unless they also have a common, alternative meaning.
- MARCH, CHINA, and RAY are acceptable due to alternate definitions.
- Abbreviations and acronyms are forbidden unless recognized as real words.
- LASER, SCUBA, and NATO are accepted.
- Words considered slang, technical or old-fashioned can be played if they’re included in the approved dictionary word list. Even then, archaic words are not generally valid.
- Examples: YON, MOD, FLOPPY.
- Foreign terms must be widely used in English to qualify.
- Examples: KARMA, BUNGALOW, CROISSANT.
- The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary removes offensive terms, but competitive play may still allow them based on the word list used.
- In recent years, hundreds of derogatory words have been removed from official lists due to community feedback and social awareness.
- Two main word lists are used in English-language Scrabble:
- NASPA Word List (NWL) – for North America
- Collins Scrabble Words (CSW) – for international play
- Some North American players use the Collins list, which has its own tournament ratings.
The valid words in popular word lists differ. If you’re playing a casual, social game, agree upon which word list to use to avoid conflict.
Challenges
In Scrabble, players can choose between two common word-checking systems: automatic validation or challenge-based play, each offering a different level of strategy and risk.
In challenge mode, words are not automatically checked. Players are allowed to place any combination of letters on the board—even invalid ones. It’s up to the opponent to challenge a questionable word. The rules apply to both players.
Here’s how challenges work:
Scenario 1: If a player plays an invalid word and their opponent challenges:
- The word is removed from the board.
- The player scores zero points for that turn.
- The opponent gets the next move.
Scenario 2: If a player plays a valid word and the opponent challenges:
- The word stays on the board, and the challenge fails.
- What happens next depends on the game’s challenge rule setting:
- Point Challenge Rule: The player who played the valid word receives extra points.
- Turn Challenge Rule (also called Double Challenge): The opponent who challenged loses their turn, and the player gets to go again.
These rules apply to both players.
Tips to Win Scrabble Game
Fortunately, Scrabble has many techniques for beginners to master their hands from the very early plays.
1. Use Bonus Tiles Wisely
Some squares on the board give you extra points, like double or triple letter/word scores. Even if you can’t make a huge word, placing a letter there stops your opponent from using it!
2. The Special Letters: A, E, I, L, N, R, S, T
These are the most common letters in words. If you have them, try mixing them around to make new words.
3. Learn Short Words (Two- and Three-Letter Words)
Short words like “it,” “an,” “on,” and “zap” are easy to play and can help you score extra points, especially if you place them near a bonus tile.
4. Try for a “Bingo”!
If you use all 7 tiles in one turn, you get a 50-point bonus! Keep an eye out for long words you can spell.
5. Prefixes & Suffixes
You can add letters to existing words to make new ones. For example, add “S” to “JUMP” to make “JUMPS,” or add “UN” to “HAPPY” to make “UNHAPPY.”
6. Use “Q” Quickly!
The letter “Q” is tricky, so play it as soon as you can. If possible, place it on a bonus square to get more points!
7. “Q” Words Without “U”
Usually, “Q” needs a “U,” but some words– like “QI” and “FAQIR”– don’t. Learn to use your “Q” faster.
8. Save “J,” “X,” and “Z”
These letters are worth big points! Try placing them on double or triple letter/word tiles to score high.
9. Use “Hooks” to Build on Words
A “hook” is when you add one letter to an existing word. Example: If “CAT” is on the board, you can add “S” to make “CATS” and play another word in a different direction.
10. Play Words Parallel to Each Other
If you can place a word next to another word, you score points for both. It is a great way to use up tricky letters.
11. Learn New Words
Try reading the dictionary or checking a “word of the day” online. The more words you know, the better you’ll play.
12. Swap Letters If Needed
If you have bad tiles, you can trade them in. But you’ll have to skip your turn!
Tracing the Roots of the Scrabble Game
Who invented Scrabble, and how did it become a global game? In 1931, Alfred Mosher Butts, an American architect, created a word game called Lexiko. It is based on how often letters appear in newspapers. He called it Criss-Crosswords and added a 15×15 gameboard. In 1948, James Brunot, a resident of Newtown, Connecticut, and one of the few owners of the original game, bought the rights to manufacture it. He agreed to pay Butts a royalty for every unit sold.
In 1952, manufacturing rights went to Selchow and Righter, who sold nearly four million sets by 1954. JW Spear gained UK and Australia rights in 1955. Hasbro acquired U.S. and Canadian rights in 1989, while Mattel took over international rights in 1994. Scrabble became a game show in 1984. It was also inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2004. Today, the game is actively selling in over 120 countries and is available in 30 languages, indicating its massive popularity.
Popular Variations
| Variation | Description | Key Features |
| Super Scrabble | It’s an expanded version with more tiles and a larger board | 21×21 board, 200 tiles, modified letter distribution |
| Words with Friends | Digital game inspired by Scrabble | Different board layout and letter values |
| Lexulous | Online variant similar to Scrabble | Players get 8 tiles instead of 7; a different board and scoring |
| Clabbers | Tournament favorite where anagrams of valid words are allowed | Example: EEAIORT is valid for ETAERIO |
| Duplicate Scrabble | Played in French-speaking countries and tournaments | All players use the same tiles and board; the largest events have 1,000+ players |
| Scarabeo | Italian variant is more popular in Italy than Scrabble | 17×17 board with unique rules |
| Junior Scrabble | Child-friendly version with simplified gameplay | Adjusted letter frequencies and two-sided board for different skill levels |
| Scrabble Game Show | Based on the U.S. TV show from the 1980s and 1990s | Resembles game show format more than classic Scrabble; uses traditional board |
It is also possible to play Scrabble online on various websites for free. The game is also available in video game versions for virtual versions.
Does Scrabble have Official Tournaments?
Yes, Scrabble has a strong tournament scene. Thousands of players in many countries, including the USA, compete through clubs and organized events. However, tournaments follow stricter rules than casual play. For example:
- Two-player games only (or occasionally two-player teams).
- Game clocks with time controls; players lose 10 points per extra minute.
- Plastic tiles instead of wooden ones to prevent “feeling” the bag.
- Tracking sheets are used to monitor tile distribution.
Major international tournaments include:
- WESPA Championship – formerly World Scrabble Championship
- Scrabble Players Championship – held annually in the U.S.
- National Scrabble Championship – organized in the U.K.
- Brand’s Crossword Game King’s Cup – the world’s largest, held in Thailand.
- UK Open – the largest European event, held in Coventry.
- The World Youth Scrabble Championships – for under-18s, held annually since 2006, with entry by country qualification.
Wrapping Up
If you’ve made it this far, chances are you’re thinking of giving Scrabble a try. Good call. You don’t need to be a word genius to start playing according to Scrabble rules. You just need a little curiosity. Place a letter. Build a word. See where it takes you. That’s the beauty of it—one small move can shift the entire board. If you’ve ever wondered what makes words powerful or how simple letters can outsmart a full hand, the game is your chance to find out. The rules are just the beginning. The real fun starts when you play your first word.
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FAQs
What is the use of blank tiles in Scrabble?
In Scrabble, a blank tile substitutes for any letter needed to complete a word. Once assigned a letter, it remains that letter for the entire game and cannot be changed.
What is forbidden in the Scrabble game?
In Scrabble, forbidden actions include using proper nouns, abbreviations, prefixes/suffixes alone, hyphenated words, foreign words, or words not found in the official dictionary. Players cannot challenge valid words or skip turns without exchanging tiles.
What is the best Scrabble strategy?
The best Scrabble strategy is to adapt to your opponent’s style. For example, use short, strategic words against defensive players. However, focus on high-scoring, longer words when facing aggressive, vocabulary-strong opponents. You need spontaneity as well.
Are diagonal words allowed in Scrabble?
As per the rules for Scrabble, diagonal words are not allowed. All words must be formed horizontally or vertically, connecting to existing tiles on the board.
What letter has the highest score in the Scrabble game?
The letters with the highest score in Scrabble are “Q” and “Z,” each worth 10 points. These high-value tiles can significantly boost a player’s score when used strategically in high-scoring word placements.
Can I look up words when playing Scrabble?
No, you cannot look up words while playing. A dictionary may only be used after a word is played and challenged. Players must agree before using rule variants, ensuring fairness throughout the game.
