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The words worth knowing

Updated September 4, 2026 · 2 min read

Short words settle tight grids, while unusual two-letter words and words with a Q and no U cause the most disputes. Knowing which list your table uses avoids arguments before tiles are placed.

The short version

  • Agree on whether to use the North American list or Collins before you start.
  • Pair an isolated Q using words like QI, QAT, or TRANQ when you lack a U.
  • Keep a vowel handy for a V, because no two-letter word contains that letter.
  • Check the two-letter list when you need to connect difficult letters like X, Z, or J.

Two-letter words save grids when space is tight. The North American list has 107 two-letter words, including everyday entries like IN, ON, and AT, alongside disputed entries like QI, ZA, and XU. Collins adds 20 more, bringing its total to 127. Neither list contains a two-letter word with a V, and CH is the only two-letter word with a C, available only in Collins.

The score to keep in your head: 107 two-letter words in the North American list, 127 in Collins, and the gap between them is exactly 20 words. The pages below break that down and add the letters that cause the most trouble.

Tiles with rare counts create distinct problems. Letters like J, K, Q, X, and Z have only two tiles each in the game, but they carry no points because the game has no scoring. A Q is not worth more than an E, it is simply harder to place. Words like QI, QAT, and TRANQ let you play a Q when no U is available.

Disputes usually come down to the dictionary chosen before play begins. Everyday short words like DO, GO, and ME rarely get challenged. Words like HM, MM, SH, OI, and UT are legal in standard lists but often trigger kitchen table challenges. Words like JA, KO, and ZO are only valid if you play under Collins rules.

The mistake to avoid

The mistake is to play words like CH, KO, or ZO under the North American list. These 20 words are legal only in Collins, so verify your dictionary rules before placing them.

Questions that keep coming up

Are there any two-letter words with the letter V?

No. Neither the North American list nor Collins contains a two-letter word that uses the letter V.

Is PH a valid two-letter word?

No, it is not. Collins removed PH from its word list in 2007, and it is not in the North American list.

Which two-letter word uses the letter C?

CH is the only two-letter word containing a C, and it is legal only in Collins.