Words With Friends Rules
The complete official guide to playing Words With Friends. Learn everything from basic gameplay to advanced scoring rules.
Master the rules to become a Words With Friends champion
Game Overview
Words With Friends is a multiplayer word game where players take turns forming words on a game board. The objective is to score the most points by creating words using letter tiles, with bonus squares that multiply letter and word values.
Board Layout & Special Squares
The board is a 15x15 grid with special bonus squares that increase your score:
Triple Word
Multiplies the entire word score by 3. Located in corners and strategic positions.
Double Word
Multiplies the entire word score by 2. The center star is a DW square.
Triple Letter
Multiplies a single letter's value by 3. Great for high-value letters!
Double Letter
Multiplies a single letter's value by 2. Common throughout the board.
Note: Bonus squares only apply the first time they are used. Once a tile covers them, they become regular squares.
Tile Distribution
There are 104 tiles in total. Here is the complete distribution:
| Letter | Count | Points |
|---|---|---|
| A | 9 | 1 |
| B | 2 | 4 |
| C | 2 | 4 |
| D | 5 | 2 |
| E | 13 | 1 |
| F | 2 | 4 |
| G | 3 | 3 |
| H | 4 | 3 |
| I | 8 | 1 |
| J | 1 | 10 |
| K | 1 | 5 |
| L | 4 | 2 |
| M | 2 | 4 |
| N | 5 | 2 |
| O | 8 | 1 |
| P | 2 | 4 |
| Q | 1 | 10 |
| R | 6 | 1 |
| S | 5 | 1 |
| T | 7 | 1 |
| U | 4 | 2 |
| V | 2 | 5 |
| W | 2 | 4 |
| X | 1 | 8 |
| Y | 2 | 3 |
| Z | 1 | 10 |
| Blank | 2 | 0 |
How to Play
1Starting the Game
- • Each player draws 7 tiles from the bag
- • The player who goes first places a word on the center star (DW square)
- • The first word must pass through the center square
2Taking a Turn
- • Form a word using tiles from your rack
- • Words must connect to existing tiles on the board
- • Words must read left-to-right or top-to-bottom
- • All new words formed must be valid
- • Draw new tiles to replace those you played
3Alternative Actions
- • Swap: Exchange 1-7 tiles and skip your turn
- • Pass: Skip your turn without playing
- • Resign: Forfeit the game
Scoring Rules
Basic Scoring
Add up the point values of all letters in your word. Apply any bonus squares (letter bonuses first, then word bonuses).
Multiple Words
If your play creates multiple words, you score points for each valid word formed.
Blank Tiles
Blank tiles can represent any letter but are worth 0 points.
End Game
The game ends when all tiles are played or both players pass consecutively. The player who uses all their tiles first gets bonus points equal to the sum of the opponent's remaining tiles.
Special Rules & Tips
Valid Words
Only dictionary words are valid. Proper nouns, abbreviations, and hyphenated words are not allowed.
Check word validity →Challenges
In WWF, invalid words are automatically rejected - no penalty challenges like in Scrabble.
Time Limits
Standard games allow up to 72 hours per move. Lightning rounds have shorter limits.
WWF vs Scrabble
WWF has different letter values and board layout than Scrabble. Some word lists also differ.
Ready to Play?
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