Introduction
Daily 5 is OnlinePuzzle's noir-themed word deduction game. Each day presents a new five-letter mystery word that you must identify through systematic guessing and logical reasoning. The game combines the deductive logic of classic detective work with the satisfaction of word puzzle solving.
How It Works
Objective
Identify the secret five-letter word within 6 attempts using feedback from each guess.
Controls and Interactions
Desktop:
- Type letters using your keyboard
- Press Enter to submit a guess
- Press Backspace to delete letters
Mobile:
- Tap the on-screen keyboard
- Tap Submit to confirm your guess
- Tap Delete to remove letters
Feedback System
After each guess, tiles change color to provide clues:
Green (Correct Position):
- The letter is in the word
- The letter is in the correct position
- This is a "hard lock" - use it in future guesses
Yellow (Wrong Position):
- The letter is in the word
- The letter is NOT in this position
- Try this letter in a different position
Grey (Not Present):
- The letter is not in the word at all
- Eliminate this letter from future guesses
- This is a "dead zone" letter
Win Conditions
Success: Identify the word within 6 guesses Failure: Exhaust all 6 guesses without finding the word
The answer is revealed after your final attempt regardless of outcome.
Features
Hint System
Each Daily 5 puzzle includes a thematic clue:
- The clue hints at the word's meaning
- It may reference noir themes, detective work, or crime scenes
- Clues use wordplay, metaphor, or direct description
- The clue appears above the game board
Example clues:
- "A suspect's weak excuse" → ALIBI
- "Detective's illumination tool" → LIGHT
- "Evidence left behind" → TRACE
Difficulty Settings
Daily 5 has one difficulty level, but the challenge varies:
- Early week (Mon-Wed): More common words
- Late week (Thu-Sun): More challenging vocabulary
- Noir vocabulary: Many answers use detective terminology
Timer
Daily 5 does not have a time limit. Take as long as you need to think through each guess. The game rewards logical thinking over speed.
Best Practices for New Players
Start with vowel-rich words: STARE, ADIEU, AUDIO test multiple vowels early
Use all feedback: Don't ignore yellow letters - they're as valuable as green ones
Think before guessing: Each guess is precious. Plan your next move based on what you've learned
Read the clue carefully: It often points directly to the answer's meaning or category
Build a mental word list: After playing regularly, you'll recognize common patterns
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Repeating grey letters
- If a letter turns grey, it's not in the word
- Don't waste guesses testing it again
Mistake 2: Ignoring yellow constraints
- Yellow means "wrong position," not "try again here"
- Move yellow letters to different positions
Mistake 3: Random guessing
- Each guess should test a hypothesis
- Use logic, not luck
Mistake 4: Forgetting the clue
- The clue is your first piece of evidence
- It often hints at word category or meaning
Mistake 5: Giving up too early
- 6 guesses is more than enough with systematic thinking
- Most puzzles are solvable in 4-5 attempts
Glossary Highlights
Hard Lock: A green letter in confirmed position
Soft Presence: A yellow letter that exists but needs repositioning
Dead Zone: Grey letters eliminated from consideration
Opening Move: Your first guess, typically testing common letters
Closing Move: Final guess when you've narrowed to one candidate
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play yesterday's puzzle?
Daily 5 is designed for one puzzle per day. However, you can practice with similar puzzles in Practice Mode.
What if I don't know any five-letter words that fit?
The word list includes common English words and noir vocabulary. If stuck, think about detective themes, crime scenes, or evidence terminology.
Do proper nouns appear?
No. All Daily 5 answers are common nouns, verbs, or adjectives. No names, places, or abbreviations.
Can letters repeat in the answer?
Yes. Words like ALLEY, STEEL, or PROOF have repeated letters. The feedback system handles this correctly.
What happens if I close the browser mid-game?
Your progress is saved automatically. Return to the same device and browser to continue.
How is this different from Wordle?
Daily 5 adds noir theming, detective clues, and integrates with OnlinePuzzle's achievement system and daily case structure.