LinkedIn CrossClimb #623 Solution: Master Today's Word Ladder Puzzle (January 13, 2026)

Crack LinkedIn CrossClimb #623 with our complete walkthrough! Published on January 13, 2026, this daily word puzzle challenges you to guess five words from clues, rearrange them into a ladder where each differs by one letter, and solve the compound clue for the top and bottom words. Perfect for sharpening your logic and vocabulary in the addictive LinkedIn Games series.

How CrossClimb Works: Quick Refresher

In CrossClimb, solve clues for 4-letter words first. Then, drag to order them so adjacent words change exactly one letter (like CLAY → CLAP). Finally, unlock and fill the top/bottom for the combo clue, maintaining the one-letter rule. Stuck? Change vowels first or work backwards!

Step 1: Solve the Five Core Clues

Enter these in phase 1—no order yet, just match the hints:

• Hint 1: Substance that can be molded to make pottery
  **Answer: CLAY**
  Clay is the earthy material shaped into pots—classic 4-letter fit.
• Hint 2: Put your hands together to show appreciation
  **Answer: CLAP**
  Clapping applauds performances; simple action word.
• Hint 3: Beat, as a bird’s wings
  **Answer: FLAP**
  Birds flap wings to fly—motion perfectly captured.
• Hint 4: Throw oneself down on the ground in an ungainly way, as a footballer might do to draw a foul
  **Answer: FLOP**
  Soccer divers flop dramatically for penalties.
• Hint 5: Food waste that may be fed to animals like pigs
  **Answer: SLOP**
  Slop is scraps fed to pigs—farmyard staple.

Step 2: Build the Word Ladder (Reorder Phase)

Drag rows using = symbols to chain: each step swaps one letter only. The valid sequence for #623:

CLAY
 ↓ (Y→P)
CLAP
 ↓ (C→F)
FLAP
 ↓ (A→O)
FLOP
 ↓ (F→S)
SLOP

Reasoning: Start with CLAY (pottery clay). Swap Y to P: CLAP (applause). C to F: FLAP (wings). A to O: FLOP (dive). F to S: SLOP (swill). Each is a real word, clues match perfectly!

Step 3: Unlock & Solve Compound Question

Compound Question: Two buttons that may appear on a remote, one to start a program and another to end it.

• Top Answer: PLAY (fits above CLAY: S→P swap from SLOP chain end? Wait, top slots before first: ? → CLAY. Actually PLAY → CLAY via P→C? No—PLAY to CLAY is Y same, but P-C, L-L, A-A, Y-Y? PLAY: P-L-A-Y to C-L-A-Y (P→C only). Yes!
• Bottom Answer: STOP (below SLOP: SLOP → STOP via L→T, O-O, P-P, S→? SLOP: S-L-O-P to S-T-O-P (L→T only). Perfect remote duo: PLAY starts, STOP ends media.

Full ladder:

PLAY
 ↓ (P→C)
CLAY
 ↓ (Y→P)
CLAP
 ↓ (C→F)
FLAP
 ↓ (A→O)
FLOP
 ↓ (F→S)
SLOP
 ↓ (L→T)
STOP

Tips for Future CrossClimb Puzzles

• Use common words; avoid obscurities.
• Test vowel swaps (A/E/I/O/U) first.
• If jammed, hint reveals wrong word/position.
• Compound clues often pair opposites like play/stop.

Congrats on solving LinkedIn CrossClimb #623! Share your time in comments. Check back daily for CrossClimb solutions, LinkedIn Games guides, and more. #CrossClimb #LinkedInGames #WordLadder #PuzzleSolutions