High-Scoring Three-Letter Words
There are 99 words in this list; 55 of them are common words.
Type your own letters to find only the words you can make, or leave it empty to open this list in the word finder.
A three-letter word rarely wins a game on its own, but a three-letter word placed on a premium square often does. This list gathers every three-letter word in our dictionary that scores ten points or more with classic tile values, which means it contains at least one of the heavy letters: J, Q, X, Z, or a K paired with something solid. These are the words to reach for when a triple-letter square is open next to a vowel, or when you want to dump a Q without a U. Because they are short, they fit into cramped boards where nothing longer will go, and they leave your rack flexible for the next turn. Scan the list once and a few will stick: ZAX, JEU, and FIZ are all favourites of experienced players. Use the search box to check which ones you can make from your current rack.
All 99 words
- zax19 points
- zek16 points
- fez15 points
- fiz15 points
- pyx15 points
- wiz15 points
- biz14 points
- coz14 points
- kex14 points
- zap14 points
- zip14 points
- adz13 points
- fax13 points
- fix13 points
- fox13 points
- haj13 points
- hex13 points
- jaw13 points
- jay13 points
- jew13 points
- jow13 points
- joy13 points
- oxy13 points
- vex13 points
- vox13 points
- wax13 points
- zag13 points
- zed13 points
- zig13 points
- azo12 points
- box12 points
- cox12 points
- jab12 points
- jam12 points
- jib12 points
- job12 points
- lez12 points
- max12 points
- mix12 points
- pax12 points
- pix12 points
- pox12 points
- qat12 points
- qua12 points
- suq12 points
- why12 points
- zee12 points
- zin12 points
- zit12 points
- zoa12 points
- zoo12 points
- dex11 points
- gox11 points
- hyp11 points
- jag11 points
- jig11 points
- jog11 points
- jug11 points
- axe10 points
- cwm10 points
- hmm10 points
- jar10 points
- jee10 points
- jet10 points
- jeu10 points
- jin10 points
- joe10 points
- jot10 points
- jun10 points
- jus10 points
- jut10 points
- kaf10 points
- kay10 points
- kef10 points
- key10 points
- khi10 points
- kif10 points
- lax10 points
- lex10 points
- lox10 points
- lux10 points
- nix10 points
- oxo10 points
- raj10 points
- rax10 points
- rex10 points
- sax10 points
- sex10 points
- six10 points
- sky10 points
- sox10 points
- taj10 points
- tax10 points
- tux10 points
- wok10 points
- xis10 points
- yak10 points
- yok10 points
- yuk10 points
Quick facts
- Total words: 99
- By usage: 35 very common, 20 common, 44 rare
Highest scoring (classic tiles)
- zax 19
- zek 16
- fez 15
- fiz 15
- pyx 15
- wiz 15
- biz 14
- coz 14
- kex 14
- zap 14
Most common
- fix
- joy
- box
- job
- mix
- why
- key
- sex
- six
- tax
Definitions
- fix (noun)
- Informal terms for a difficult situation.
- joy (noun)
- The emotion of great happiness.
- box (noun)
- A (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid.
- job (noun)
- The principal activity in your life that you do to earn money.
How to use this page
Read the list straight through, or use the search box to check which of these words you can make from your own letters. Long lists show the most useful entries first and load the remainder on request.
Tips
A word list is also a study tool. Reading through the high-scoring three-letter words once or twice is enough to make the unusual ones familiar, and familiarity is what lets you spot a play under time pressure. Try covering the list and writing down as many as you can, then compare. Use the definitions on this page to attach meaning to the words you did not know, since a word with a meaning sticks far better than a string of letters. Return to the list after a few days and repeat.
Questions
What is the highest-scoring word among the high-scoring three-letter words?
ZAX scores 19 points with classic tile values, ignoring board multipliers. The full top ten is in the quick facts above; switch the tile set on the search tool if you play with different letter values.
Why are some of these words unfamiliar?
44 of the 99 words on this page are tagged rare, meaning they fall outside the usual spell-check vocabulary. They are still real words, and many are legal plays, but you should expect a challenge if someone asks you to define them.