Wordle, the popular five-letter word guessing game, continues to challenge players daily. For those seeking assistance with the puzzle on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, a helpful hint is available: "To take off a layer or two."
Further clues indicate that today's Wordle word begins with the letter 'S' and ends with 'P'. It contains only one vowel and consists of five unique letters, meaning there are no double letters. For players looking for a strategic starting word, inputting "point" is suggested, as it will reveal three yellow letters.
For those who wish to preserve their win streak or are simply curious, the answer to today's Wordle for August 18 is "STRIP". The word "strip" has multiple meanings, including the act of removing an outer layer, a thin piece of material, or a sequence of illustrated panels, as in a comic strip.
Wordle, created by software engineer Josh Wardle, became a viral sensation after its release in October 2021. Its simple premise, where players have six attempts to guess a five-letter word, coupled with an easy-to-use spoiler-free sharing feature, contributed to its rapid growth. The New York Times acquired the game in January 2022 for a seven-figure sum.
Players can input most five-letter words, but the daily answer is selected from a more common lexicon to avoid obscure terms. Occasionally, the New York Times may alter a word choice if it is deemed too politically charged, as was the case with "FETUS" being replaced by "SHINE" around the time of news concerning Roe v Wade.
To increase the game's difficulty, players can enable Hard Mode, which requires all revealed letters to be used in subsequent guesses. An even stricter "Ultra-Hard" mode mandates that every guess must be a potential answer based on all previously revealed clues.
For players seeking alternatives or further engagement, numerous Wordle-inspired games exist. These include Worldle (guessing countries by shape), Waffle (rearranging letters), Moviedle (guessing movies from brief clips), and Quordle (solving four Wordles simultaneously). Tips for choosing effective starting words and a history of past answers are also available to aid players.