LinkedIn CrossClimb #650 Solution: Crack the Word Ladder Puzzle from February 9, 2026

Love tackling LinkedIn CrossClimb? Today's CrossClimb #650, published on February 9, 2026, challenges you to build a perfect word ladder. Solve five clues, arrange them with one-letter changes, and nail the compound phrase. This guide walks you through every step—no spoilers until you're ready!

Phase 1: Solving the Five Clues

In CrossClimb, start by guessing the words from each hint. Each is a four-letter word. Here's the reasoning:

• Hint 1: Just the words in a document, not the pictures
  This refers to the plain text content, excluding images. The word is TEXT. Perfect for digital docs!
• Hint 2: Canvas enclosure for a circus
  Picture a big top made of canvas. That's a TENT, the classic circus staple.
• Hint 3: A shade of a color
  Not the main hue, but a variation like light blue. The answer is TINT, a subtle color shade.
• Hint 4: Feature of the Earth’s axis (which is not perpendicular to its orbital plane)
  Earth wobbles on its axis—called axial TILT. This explains seasons!
• Hint 5: One of many in a game of Scrabble or Settlers of Catan
  Those small squares with letters or numbers? TILEs, essential for both games.

Got them? Enter TEXT, TENT, TINT, TILT, and TILE to unlock Phase 2.

Phase 2: Building the Word Ladder

Drag the words using the = symbols to form a chain where only one letter changes per step. Trial and error works, but here's the logic:

TEXT
TENT
TINT
TILT
TILE

• TEXT → TENT: X to N (last letter).
• TENT → TINT: E to I (third letter).
• TINT → TILT: N to L (third letter).
• TILT → TILE: T to E (fourth letter).

This creates a smooth climb from start to end. Lock it in!

Phase 3: The Compound Question

Clue: A two-word phrase meaning "not now, but at the first available opportunity."

Extend the ladder top and bottom:

 NEXT
 TEXT
 TENT
 TINT
 TILT
 TILE
 TIME

• Top: NEXT – Changes TEXT's first T to N.
• Bottom: TIME – Changes TILE's L to M (third letter).

NEXT TIME perfectly fits: postpone to the soonest chance. Words relate as a common idiom!

Pro Tips for Future CrossClimb Puzzles

• Focus on common four-letter words.
• Check vowel/consonant patterns for one-letter swaps.
• Compound clues often form phrases like idioms or pairs.
• Practice daily to climb leaderboards!

Congrats on solving LinkedIn CrossClimb #650! Share your time in comments. Check back for tomorrow's solution. #CrossClimb #LinkedInGames #WordPuzzle #DailyPuzzle