Crossplay Tile Values
What each of the 26 letters is worth, how many of each are in the 104-tile bag, and how big a share of the bag each one represents. Sort by value or rarity to see which letters actually cost you.
| Letter | Value | Tiles in bag | Share of bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1 | 9 | 8.7% |
| B | 4 | 2 | 1.9% |
| C | 3 | 2 | 1.9% |
| D | 2 | 5 | 4.8% |
| E | 1 | 13 | 12.5% |
| F | 4 | 2 | 1.9% |
| G | 4 | 3 | 2.9% |
| H | 3 | 4 | 3.8% |
| I | 1 | 8 | 7.7% |
| J | 10 | 1 | 1.0% |
| K | 6 | 1 | 1.0% |
| L | 2 | 4 | 3.8% |
| M | 3 | 2 | 1.9% |
| N | 1 | 5 | 4.8% |
| O | 1 | 8 | 7.7% |
| P | 3 | 2 | 1.9% |
| Q | 10 | 1 | 1.0% |
| R | 1 | 6 | 5.8% |
| S | 1 | 5 | 4.8% |
| T | 1 | 7 | 6.7% |
| U | 2 | 4 | 3.8% |
| V | 6 | 2 | 1.9% |
| W | 5 | 2 | 1.9% |
| X | 8 | 1 | 1.0% |
| Y | 4 | 2 | 1.9% |
| Z | 10 | 1 | 1.0% |
| ? | 0 | 2 | 1.9% |
104 tiles in total, including 2 blanks. A blank always scores 0, whatever letter it stands in for.
Face value is only half the story
The value printed on a tile tells you what it scores. It does not tell you what it earns. Those are different numbers, and the gap between them is where most of the skill in the game sits.
Tiles that earn more than they are worth
- S (1 point). Turns an existing word into a plural while you play a whole new word across it. Two words for one tile — there are only 5 in the bag and they are worth saving.
- X (8 points). Forms a two-letter word before and after a vowel, so a single X between two words scores twice.
- Blank (0 points). Worth nothing on its own, worth 40+ when it completes a sweep.
Tiles that earn less than they are worth
- Q (10 points). Needs a U or one of a short list of words. It blocks your rack while you wait.
- V (6 points). No two-letter word contains a V. It is the hardest tile in the bag to place.
- W (5 points), K (6 points). Awkward in combination and rarely reach a premium square.
A practical rule
When choosing between two plays worth about the same, keep the tiles that combine. Spending a V for 18 points beats spending an S for 20, because next turn the S is worth more than the two points you gave up.
Related
- Tile DistributionHow many of each letter are in the bag.
- Scoring RulesHow a play is scored, worked through step by step.
- Board LayoutEvery premium square on the 15x15 grid.
- Z WordsTen-point Z plays worth memorising.
- Crossplay SolverEnter your board and rack, get every legal move ranked by score.
- Strategy GuideTen ideas that add points to every game.
Common questions
What are the highest-value letters?
J, Q and Z are worth 10 each, X is 8, and K and V are 6. There is only one J, Q, X and Z in the bag, so you will hold each of them roughly once a game.
What is a blank worth?
Zero, always, whatever letter it stands in for. That is the trade: it can be any letter you like, but it contributes nothing to the score. A blank is worth keeping for a sweep rather than spending on a small play.
Do letter values change during a game?
No. A tile is always worth its face value. What changes is the square it lands on — a double or triple letter square multiplies that tile, and only on the turn it is played.
Are the highest-value letters the most useful?
Not quite. The X is worth 8 but outperforms the 10-pointers, because AX, EX, OX, XI and XU let it score in two directions at once. The S is worth 1 and is arguably the most valuable tile in the bag, since it hooks onto existing words.