Scrabble Rules
Choose a rule set or variation below to view the relevant Scrabble rules.
Standard Scrabble Rules
Scrabble Scoring at a Glance
Letter Values
Scoring Reminders
Scrabble Rules FAQ
How many players can play Scrabble?
Standard Scrabble is designed for 2 to 4 players.
How many tiles does each player start with?
Each player begins with seven letter tiles and normally draws replacement tiles after playing so their rack returns to seven while enough tiles remain in the bag.
Does the first word have to cover the centre square?
Yes. The opening word must cross the centre star square. The centre square acts as a Double Word Score for the opening play.
Can words be played backwards?
No. Words are played from left to right or from top to bottom. Words cannot be played diagonally.
Can I move a tile after it has been played?
No. Once a turn has been completed, tiles already on the board remain in their positions.
How many points is a blank tile worth?
A blank tile is worth 0 points, even after it has been assigned a letter.
Can a blank tile be changed to another letter later?
No. Once a blank has been played as a particular letter, it keeps that identity for the remainder of the game.
Do premium squares work more than once?
No. A letter or word premium is used only when a tile is first placed on that square. On later turns, the tile is counted at its normal value.
What happens if I use all seven tiles in one turn?
You receive an additional 50-point bonus after calculating the score for the play.
Can I exchange letters instead of playing a word?
Scrabble allows tile exchanges when the conditions in the edition or rules being used permit an exchange. Exchanging tiles uses your turn.
Can I pass my turn?
Yes. A player may choose to pass instead of placing tiles.
What dictionary should we use?
Players should agree on the dictionary or recognised word list before beginning. Organised competitions use the word list specified by their governing body or tournament organiser.
When does a Scrabble game end?
A game normally ends when the tile bag is empty and a player uses their final tile, or when play can no longer continue under the applicable rules.
What happens to unused letters at the end?
The value of tiles remaining on a player's rack is deducted from that player's score. When a player goes out, the applicable remaining-tile values are added to that player's score under the standard final-scoring rules.
Have a Rack of Letters?
Enter your letters into our Word Unscrambler to find possible words and compare their Scrabble point values.
