Crossplay Q Words Without U
All 31 words where the Q is not followed by a U. Short enough to memorise in one sitting, and the single highest-return list in the game.
31 of 31 words
Tap any word to load it into the solver rack, or check a different word.
The list that turns a dead rack into a good turn
One Q in the bag, four U tiles. The arithmetic says you will fairly often hold a Q with no U in sight, and most players respond by sitting on it for three or four turns — playing short, weak words while the good squares get taken.
This list removes that whole problem. Learn it and the Q stops being a liability; it becomes a 10-point tile you can place almost whenever you like.
Learn them in three groups
- QI and its extensions. QI, then QIS. Two words, and they cover most situations.
- The QAT family. QAT, QATS, and relatives — all built on the same short stem.
- The rest. Longer and rarer, but each one is a spot where a stuck Q becomes points.
A worked example
Board has an open I next to a double letter square. You hold Q with no U. Playing QI with the Q on the double letter is 10 × 2 + 1 = 21 points, from two tiles, on a turn you might otherwise have passed. Add a double word square under the I and it is 42.
Related
- Q WordsWords with Q, ranked by how playable they are.
- Two-Letter WordsThe list that wins the most points per tile.
- Strategy GuideTen ideas that add points to every game.
- Crossplay SolverEnter your board and rack, get every legal move ranked by score.
- Dictionary CheckerIs that word playable? Check it instantly.
- Tile ValuesWhat every letter is worth, sortable.
Common questions
Do I really need to learn all of these?
There are only 31, and most share the same handful of stems. An evening is enough, and it pays for itself the first time you draw a Q with no U.
Which is the most useful?
QI, by a distance. It is two tiles, it needs only a loose I anywhere on the board, and it scores 11 face points. QAT and QIS come next.
Are these valid everywhere?
Most are stable across word lists, but the Q-without-U words are exactly where lists differ most, since many entered the lexicon relatively recently. This list reflects the open reference dictionary this site uses.