2 Letter Words for Scrabble & Word Games
Master all 107 valid 2-letter words to dominate Scrabble, Words with Friends, and Wordfeud
2 Letter Word Finder
Complete Guide to 2-Letter Words
In competitive word games, 2-letter words are absolutely essential. There are exactly 107 valid 2-letter words accepted in the official Scrabble dictionary (both TWL and SOWPODS). While they may seem insignificant at first glance, these tiny words are the foundation of advanced gameplay strategies.
Memorizing all 107 two-letter words gives you an enormous competitive advantage. They allow you to:
- Create parallel plays that score points in multiple directions simultaneously
- Play high-value letters like Q, Z, X, and J in tight spaces
- Open up blocked boards and create new playing opportunities
- Maximize premium squares (double/triple letter and word scores)
- Manage your rack efficiently by playing off difficult letter combinations
This comprehensive guide covers all valid 2-letter words, organized by value and usage, along with strategic tips for incorporating them into your gameplay.
All Valid 2-Letter Words for Scrabble
High-Value Words (6+ points)
Life force in Chinese philosophy
Pizza (slang)
14th Greek letter
Vietnamese monetary unit
Sweetheart (Scottish)
Evergreen shrub (also QI works!)
Pro tip: Other high-value 2-letter words include: EX (9 pts), AX (9 pts), OX (9 pts), KI (6 pts), KA (6 pts), and HM (7 pts - no vowel needed!).
Common Vowel-Heavy Words
Common Consonant Words
Note: Words like HM, SH, and MM are particularly useful because they don't require vowels, making them perfect for vowel-heavy racks.
Why 2-Letter Words Matter in Scrabble
Parallel Plays
Place a word parallel to an existing word, forming multiple 2-letter words perpendicular to both. This technique can double or triple your score in a single turn.
Board Openings
When the board gets crowded, 2-letter words help you squeeze plays into tight spaces, keeping the game flowing and preventing board lock.
Tight Spaces
Play high-value letters like Q, Z, X, and J even when you don't have room for longer words. QI and ZA can save a difficult rack.
Point Multipliers
Land 2-letter words on premium squares for maximum impact. ZA on a triple word score with the Z on double letter = massive points!
2-Letter Word Strategy Guide
For Scrabble Players
- •Learn all 107 words systematically, starting with the high-value ones (QI, ZA, XI, XU, JO)
- •Practice parallel plays to maximize scoring potential on every turn
- •Use 2-letter words to create "hooks" - adding letters to existing words to form new ones
- •Keep track of which 2-letter words can be pluralized (most cannot)
For Words with Friends
- •WWF accepts most Scrabble 2-letter words, but with slightly different point values
- •Use 2-letter words to set up bonus tiles for your next turn
- •QI and ZA are equally valuable in WWF - memorize both immediately
For Wordfeud
- •Wordfeud has a slightly different 2-letter word list - verify words before playing
- •The board layout rewards 2-letter parallel plays even more than Scrabble
- •Master vowel-heavy 2-letter words to handle Wordfeud's vowel-rich tiles
Top 20 Most Useful 2-Letter Words to Memorize
Most valuable 2-letter word, uses the Q without U
Second most valuable, great for using the Z
High-value X word, easy to play
Another X word, extremely useful
Best J word for tight spaces
Volcanic rock, useful for parallel plays
One (Scottish), great vowel dumper
Exclamation, useful vowel combination
Common sound, easy to play anywhere
Musical note, versatile word
Most common 2-letter word
Very common, easy to build off
Simple and effective
Extremely versatile
Common preposition
Easy parallel plays
No vowels needed, surprisingly valid
Common sound, no vowel needed
Double M, useful for M tiles
High-value common word
Study tip: Start by memorizing the top 10, then gradually expand to all 107. Focus on high-value words first, then common vowel combinations, then unusual consonant pairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many 2-letter words are valid in Scrabble?
There are 107 valid 2-letter words in the official Scrabble dictionary (TWL/SOWPODS). These include common words like IT, IS, and AT, as well as less common words like QI, XI, and ZA. Memorizing all 107 words gives players a significant competitive advantage.
What are the highest-scoring 2-letter words?
The highest-scoring 2-letter words are QI and ZA, both worth 11 points. Following these are XI and XU (9 points each), and JO (9 points). These words are particularly valuable because they use high-point tiles (Q, Z, X, J) in short formations that fit in tight spaces.
Why are 2-letter words important in Scrabble?
2-letter words are essential for several reasons: they enable parallel plays to score points in multiple directions, they help open up tight boards, they allow you to use difficult letters like Q and Z, they maximize points on premium squares, and they help you manage your rack by playing off unwanted tiles.
Is QI a valid 2-letter Scrabble word?
Yes, QI is not only valid but is the most valuable 2-letter word in Scrabble, worth 11 points. It represents the life force in Chinese philosophy and is one of the few words that uses Q without U. Knowing this word is essential for competitive Scrabble play.