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What to do with the Q

Updated September 4, 2026 · 2 min read

You are not stuck. You can play words that take a Q without a U, starting with QI, which takes only two letters and is legal in both major word lists. Longer options exist if you have other letters to spare.

The short version

  • Play QI if you have an I, since it is legal everywhere and uses only two tiles.
  • Look for longer U-less words such as QAT, TRANQ, or FAQIR when you hold extra consonants.
  • Place awkward letters early in the game while your grid is small and flexible.
  • Remember that Dump returns one tile to the bunch but adds three tiles to your hand.

QI is the fastest way out. It is legal in both the North American list (NWL) and Collins (CSW). Because there are 12 copies of I in the bunch and only 2 copies of Q, finding an I is much easier than finding a rare letter.

Short enough to memorise

Longer rescues

All 16 of these clear a Q without a U in hand. The list comes from one dictionary appendix, so read it as words that work, not as a claim that nothing else does.

Other words take a Q without a U when you have more tiles available. You can play QAT, QAID, QADI, QOPH, QANAT, TRANQ, FAQIR, SHEQEL, QABALA, QABALAH, QINDAR, QINTAR, QINDARKA, MBAQANGA, or QWERTY. This list is a working selection, not a census, as dictionaries contain more.

Use awkward letters like the Q as early as you can. A hand is smaller near the start, which makes restructuring around a difficult letter simpler. There is no scoring in this game, so a Q earns no extra value over an E. It is simply harder to fit into a grid.

Calling Dump to exchange a Q costs you two extra tiles on the spot. You put one tile back into the bunch and take three tiles in return. Taking that penalty late in the game adds tiles to a hand you are actively trying to empty.

The mistake to avoid

The mistake is to assume a Q always requires a U to enter your grid. It does not. Memorize QI to play the Q with a single I, or place other words like QAT and TRANQ instead of taking a penalty by calling Dump.

Questions that keep coming up

Is QI legal in both NWL and Collins?

Yes. QI is on the North American list and the Collins list.

How many Q tiles are in the game?

There are 2 Q tiles in the game.

What happens when you call Dump on a Q?

You return the Q to the bunch and draw 3 replacement tiles.