Best word game guesses starting with Y
If you know the answer is a four-letter word starting with Y, these are the strongest guesses on this list. Each uses different letters picked from the ones that turn up most often in four-letter puzzle answers, so a single guess tests as many likely letters as possible. After you play one, enter the green, yellow and grey tiles in the solver above to cut the list down.
About the letter Y
Y can act as a vowel, which is why most words with no A, E, I, O or U, such as LYMPH and CRYPT, rely on it.
In Scrabble, Y is worth 4 points, and a standard set has 2 Y tiles. For comparison, 193 four-letter words end in Y.
Common and uncommon words
18 of the 70 words (26%) are common English words. 52 are rarer entries such as YAUD, YILL and YOWS. Rare words are still valid in Scrabble-style games, but puzzle answers are almost always familiar words, so the highlighted words are the ones to try first.
Frequently asked questions
How many 4 letter words start with Y?
Our list has 70 four-letter words starting with Y. 18 of them are common words and 17 are the kind of words used as puzzle answers. The list is based on the public-domain ENABLE word list, last updated September 26, 2026.
What is a good word game word starting with Y?
YEAR is the strongest guess on this page because its letters are the ones most often found in four-letter puzzle answers. YEAH and YARN are good alternatives.
Which 4 letter word that starts with Y scores the most in Scrabble?
YACK scores 13 points at face value, the highest on this list. Among everyday words, YUCK is the best at 13 points.
What are some common 4 letter words starting with Y?
Common examples include YEAR, YEAH, YARN, YETI, YOKE and YARD. They are highlighted in the list above.