← Back to game How to Play ShellSpell
ShellSpell is a free word puzzle game inspired by the classic spelling bee format.
Each puzzle gives you seven letters arranged in a honeycomb — your goal is to find
as many valid words as possible.
The Rules
- Create words using the seven letters shown in the hive.
- Every word must include the center letter.
- Words must be at least 4 letters long.
- Letters can be used more than once in a word.
- Proper nouns, hyphenated words, and obscure terms are not accepted.
Scoring
- 4-letter words earn 1 point.
- Longer words earn 1 point per letter (e.g. a 6-letter word = 6 points).
- A pangram uses all 7 letters and earns 7 bonus points on top of its length score.
Ranks
As you score points you climb through ranks from Beginner all the way up to Genius.
Each rank requires a percentage of the puzzle's maximum possible score.
Can you reach Genius on every puzzle?
Game Modes
- Daily Puzzle — A new puzzle every day, the same for everyone. Compare scores with friends on the leaderboard.
- Unlimited Mode — Generate random puzzles or share custom ones with friends via a link. Play as many as you like.
Tips
- Start with common prefixes and suffixes — think about word endings like -ING, -TION, -NESS.
- Try rearranging the outer letters with the shuffle button to spot new words.
- Use the Hints feature if you're stuck — it shows how many words start with each letter combination.
- Every puzzle has at least one pangram — finding it is always satisfying!