Why 2-Letter Words Matter in Scrabble
Memorizing all valid 2-letter words is the single most important thing you can do to improve your Scrabble game. Here's why:
- Parallel plays: Place words alongside existing words, creating multiple 2-letter crossings that all score
- Tight spaces: When the board is crowded, short words let you play where others can't
- Difficult letters: Words like QI, ZA, and XI let you use high-value tiles effectively
The Most Important 2-Letter Words
High-Value Must-Know Words
QI (11 points) - The only 2-letter Q word. Means "life force" in Chinese philosophy. This is the most important word to memorize because Q is so hard to use otherwise.
ZA (11 points) - Slang for pizza. Your best option for using the Z tile in tight spaces.
XI and XU (9 points each) - The only 2-letter X words. XI is a Greek letter, XU is Vietnamese currency.
JO (9 points) - Scottish term for sweetheart. Your only 2-letter J option.
Unusual Words to Know
AA - Volcanic rock with a rough surface (Hawaiian origin)
AE - One (Scottish)
OE - A Faroese wind (also spelled ø)
KA - Egyptian spiritual essence
Complete 2-Letter Word List by Points
11 Points
QI, ZA
9 Points
AX, EX, JO, OX, XI, XU
7 Points
BY, HM, MY
5-6 Points
AH, AW, AY, EF, EH, FA, FE, HA, HE, HI, HO, IF, OF, OH, OW, OY, SH, UH, WE, WO, YA, YE, YO, KA, KI, MM, OK
2-4 Points
AA, AB, AD, AE, AG, AI, AL, AM, AN, AR, AS, AT, BA, BE, BI, BO, DA, DE, DO, ED, EL, EM, EN, ER, ES, ET, GO, ID, IN, IS, IT, LA, LI, LO, MA, ME, MI, MO, MU, NA, NE, NO, NU, OD, OE, OI, OM, ON, OP, OR, OS, PA, PE, PI, PO, RE, SI, SO, TA, TE, TI, TO, UM, UN, UP, US, UT
How to Use Parallel Plays
The real power of 2-letter words comes from parallel plays. Here's an example:
If someone plays CART, and you play STEW below it creating:
C A R T S T E W
You score for STEW plus CS, AT, RE, and TW (if valid) - potentially doubling or tripling your points!
Our complete 2-letter words page has the full list with definitions, or try our Scrabble Helper to find plays from your rack.