Crossplay Q Words
Short, board-friendly words containing Q, searchable and scored. The Q is worth 10 points — the trick is never being stuck with it.
979 of 979 words
Tap any word to load it into the solver rack, or check a different word.
The Q is a 10-point tile with a problem
There is exactly one Q in the bag and it is worth 10 — joint highest with the J and the Z. Unlike those two, though, it usually wants a U alongside it, and there are only four U tiles. Drawing the Q without a U is one of the most common ways a rack seizes up.
Two things fix that. First, QI: two tiles, 11 face points, playable almost anywhere there is a spare I. On a double letter square under the Q it is 21 before the word multiplier. Second, the short list of Q words that need no U at all.
Where to put it
- On a double or triple letter square. A Q on a triple letter is 30 points from one tile — often more than the rest of the word combined.
- Where the word also hits a word multiplier. QI across a double letter Q and a double word square is 42.
- Early, not late. Holding the Q past the last few turns risks being caught with it.
When to dump it
If there is no U in the bag and none on your rack, and no open I for QI, exchanging the Q is usually better than holding it for three turns hoping. A turn spent exchanging costs you one score; a Q stuck on your rack costs you four.
Related
- Q Without UThe short list that saves a stuck rack.
- Two-Letter WordsThe list that wins the most points per tile.
- Tile ValuesWhat every letter is worth, sortable.
- Crossplay SolverEnter your board and rack, get every legal move ranked by score.
- Strategy GuideTen ideas that add points to every game.
- Dictionary CheckerIs that word playable? Check it instantly.
Common questions
Why does this list stop at eight letters?
There are 2,473 words containing Q in the dictionary, but almost none over eight letters ever gets played — there is rarely room. This list is the subset you can realistically fit on a board.
What do I do with a Q and no U?
Check the Q-without-U list. It is short enough to memorise in one sitting and it is the single highest-return piece of vocabulary in the game, because it turns a dead rack into a 30-point turn.
Should I always play the Q as soon as I can?
Usually yes. The Q is worth 10 but it blocks your rack, and if you are still holding it at the end you lose points for it. Unless you can see a clearly better turn, take a decent Q play when one appears.