Nerdle Strategy Guide
Everything you need to solve Nerdle in 3-4 guesses, backed by analysis of all 17,723 possible answers.
By Steve | Last updated February 2026
Quick Start Tips#
- 1Start with 48-32=16 — This is currently our best opening by expected total guesses. Classic division openers like 138/69=2 are still excellent.
- 2Use our solver — After your first guess, enter the feedback and let our algorithm find the optimal next move.
- 3Trust purple tiles — A character in the wrong position is still valuable information. It tells you both what IS in the answer and where it ISN'T.
- 4Remember: = is always there — Every equation has exactly one equals sign. If you know where it isn't, you narrow down where it must be.
Best Starting Equations#
These equations are among the strongest openers in our current model. Lower values mean fewer answers left after the first guess on average.
| Rank | Equation | Avg. Remaining |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 48-32=16 | ~31 answers |
| #2 | 468/52=9 | ~247 answers |
| #3 | 267/89=3 | ~247 answers |
| #4 | 152/38=4 | ~231 answers |
| #5 | 156/78=2 | ~231 answers |
Pick whichever is easiest to remember—they're all equally effective!
Why Division Works Best#
Most of the strongest openers are still division equations, but not exclusively. A standout subtraction opener (48-32=16) currently performs best by expected total guesses.
Division equations have a special property: they're highly constrained. For 138/69=2 to be true, 138 must be exactly divisible by 69. This constraint is rare, which means:
- If you get green tiles, very few equations match that pattern
- If you get purple tiles, the position constraints are powerful
- Even black tiles tell you a lot—those digits are eliminated from specific positions
Subtraction is the most common operator (32.3% of operator occurrences), while division is rarer (16.7%) and often more constraining. In practice, both classes can produce elite first guesses depending on structure.
Digit Statistics#
Not all digits appear equally in Nerdle. Here's how often each digit shows up across all valid answers:
| Digit | Appearances | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14,434 | 14.8% |
| 2 | 11,770 | 12.0% |
| 4 | 10,481 | 10.7% |
| 3 | 10,197 | 10.4% |
| 6 | 9,682 | 9.9% |
| 5 | 9,674 | 9.9% |
| 8 | 9,158 | 9.4% |
| 7 | 8,702 | 8.9% |
| 9 | 8,650 | 8.9% |
| 0 | 4,983 | 5.1% |
Operator Statistics#
Subtraction dominates, but division punches above its weight for strategic value:
| Operator | Appearances | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Subtraction (−) | 8,500 | 32.3% |
| Addition (+) | 7,484 | 28.4% |
| Multiplication (×) | 5,948 | 22.6% |
| Division (÷) | 4,398 | 16.7% |
Where Does the Equals Sign Go?#
The equals sign position tells you a lot about the equation structure:
| Position | Count | Percentage | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 1,318 | 7.4% | 3-char expression, 3-digit result |
| 6 | 10,515 | 59.3% | 5-char expression, 2-digit result |
| 7 | 5,890 | 33.2% | 6-char expression, 1-digit result |
Frequently Asked Questions#
What is the best starting equation for Nerdle?
The strongest opener in our current model is 48-32=16 by expected total guesses. Division starters like 138/69=2, 152/38=4, and 162/54=3 are still excellent and remain top-tier choices.
How many valid Nerdle equations are there?
There are exactly 17,723 valid Nerdle answers (8-character equations without lone zeros). There are 67,346 valid guesses total. The extra 49,623 equations contain standalone zeros and other guess-only forms that can be valid guesses but never daily answers.
Why are division equations better for starting?
Division equations create more distinct feedback patterns because they're highly constrained. For a division equation to work, the numbers must divide evenly with no remainder. This rare property means feedback from division eliminates more possibilities than feedback from addition or subtraction.
Can zero ever appear in a Nerdle answer?
Zero can appear as part of a multi-digit number (like 10, 20, or 100), but a standalone zero (like 0+5 or 5×0) will never be in a Nerdle answer. This is a rule that catches many players off guard.
What is the most common digit in Nerdle?
The digit '1' is the most common, appearing in 14.8% of all digit positions across valid answers. The digit '0' is the least common at 5.1%, since it can only appear within multi-digit numbers.
How many guesses should it take to solve Nerdle?
With optimal play, the average is 3-4 guesses. Starting with a strong equation like 138/69=2 and using information-theoretic follow-up guesses can often solve the puzzle in 3 attempts. Our solver helps you find these optimal moves.
What does it mean when a tile is purple?
A purple tile means the character IS in the answer, but NOT in that position. This is valuable information—it tells you both what to include and where NOT to put it. Pay close attention to purple tiles when planning your next guess.
Where does the equals sign usually appear?
The equals sign most commonly appears at position 6 (counting from 1), which accounts for 59.3% of all equations. This corresponds to a 5-character expression and a 2-digit result. Position 7 accounts for 33.2%.
Ready to Solve Today's Nerdle?
Use NerdleBuddy to get real-time suggestions based on your feedback.
Open the SolverPractice Your Strategy
Put these tips to the test with our interactive puzzle player. Get real-time hints and see how your solution compares to the optimal path.