All 14,915 short words (2-5 letters) from NASPA 2023, ranked by point value
The best Scrabble players don't need long words to dominate the scoreboard. These 14,915 short words (2-5 letters) are sorted by base point value, putting the highest-scoring compact plays at your fingertips. Short words with premium tiles like J, Q, X, and Z can score 40-80+ points on a single turn when placed on premium squares.
Showing 100 of 14,915 words (Page 1 of 150)
Long words look impressive, but short words with premium tiles are often the most efficient scoring plays in Scrabble. Here's why:
Championship analysis shows that over 60% of individual high-scoring turns (30+ points) use words of 5 letters or fewer. Mastering this list is the fastest way to increase your per-game average.
These are the absolute heaviest hitters in the short-word category. Memorize these first:
A word's base score is just the starting point. JAZZ (29 points) on a Double Word Score becomes 58 points. If the J lands on a Triple Letter Score, the J alone contributes 24 points instead of 8, boosting the total to 45 before the DWS multiplier. Always calculate premium square placement before committing to a play—the difference between placing a high-value tile on a premium square versus a regular square can be 20-40 points.
When you draw a premium tile, you need to know your best short-word options instantly. Here are the top performers organized by tile:
Z Words (10 points): JAZZ (29), FIZZ (25), FUZZ (25), BUZZ (24), QUIZ (22), RAZZ (22), TIZZY (24), DIZZY (27), FUZZY (29), FIZZY (29). The Z tile is the highest-value consonant, and double-Z words dominate the top of this list.
Q Words (10 points): QUIZ (22), QUAY (16), QUAD (14), QI (11). The Q tile matches Z in face value but is harder to play. QI remains your best emergency option at only 2 letters.
J Words (8 points): JAZZY (33), JAZZ (29), JINX (18), JACK (17), JOKE (15), JURY (14), JIVE (14), JAMB (15). The J is highly versatile in short words because it pairs well with common vowels.
X Words (8 points): JINX (18), EXPO (13), APEX (13), ONYX (14), LUXE (11), OXEN (11), AXLE (11). X-tile words tend to score slightly lower individually but are extremely playable due to common letter pairings.
Championship players think in terms of points per tile played, not just total score. This metric reveals why short high-scoring words are so powerful:
QI = 5.5 points per tile. Two tiles, 11 points. This is one of the highest efficiency ratios in Scrabble. On a premium square, it becomes 10-15 points per tile.
ZAX = 6.3 points per tile. Three tiles, 19 points. Exceptional efficiency that most 7-letter words can't match even with the 50-point bingo bonus.
JAZZ = 7.25 points per tile. Four tiles, 29 points. The highest points-per-tile ratio among common short words. Nearly impossible for longer words to beat.
Key insight: Saving your premium tiles for short words on premium squares produces the highest points-per-tile efficiency in the game. A 3-tile play scoring 30 points is objectively better than a 6-tile play scoring 30 points because you preserve rack flexibility.
Put J, Q, X, and Z face-up on the table. Draw 5 random tiles from the bag. Time yourself: how fast can you find the highest-scoring short word (2-5 letters) using one premium tile plus your drawn tiles? Do this 10 times per session. Expert players can identify the best play within 15 seconds. This drill directly translates to faster, higher-scoring tournament play because premium tile decisions are the highest-value decisions you'll make each game.
Short words are precision instruments for targeting premium squares. Here's how to maximize their impact:
Triple Letter Score (TLS) + Premium Tile: Placing Z (10 points) on a TLS makes it worth 30 points just for that tile. ZA on a TLS under Z scores 31 total. QI with Q on TLS scores 31. Always scan for TLS squares when holding premium tiles.
Double Word Score (DWS): Short words on DWS squares double everything. JAZZ (29) on DWS = 58. QUIZ (22) on DWS = 44. The shorter the word, the easier it is to position exactly on a DWS.
Triple Word Score (TWS): The holy grail. JAZZ on TWS = 87 points. QI on TWS = 33 points from just 2 tiles. Short words reaching TWS squares is one of the most efficient scoring methods in the game.
High-scoring short words serve a dual purpose: they score big while controlling the board.
Premium Square Denial: When you play a short word on or adjacent to a premium square, you score those bonus points AND prevent your opponent from using that square. A 2-letter word covering a TWS is often better than a 5-letter word that leaves TWS open.
Lane Closing: Short words played parallel to the board edge close off expansion lanes. Your opponent can't build into territory you've sealed with efficient 2-3 letter plays.
Endgame Dominance: In the final 3-4 turns when the board is crowded, only short words fit. Players who know high-scoring short words outperform opponents by 20-30 points in the endgame alone because they can still score meaningfully in tight spaces.
Analysis of championship games reveals how top players use high-scoring short words:
The data is overwhelming: mastering high-scoring short words is the single most impactful vocabulary investment for improving your competitive Scrabble average.