# To The 9s > Word puzzle game using a 3x3 grid and a dictionary to build vocabulary. (iPhone/iPad app by Lauren Sherman.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/to-the-9s/id930149662 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Lauren Sherman](https://appshunter.io/developer/930149661) - Category: Games, Entertainment, Word - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.60/5 from 5 App Store ratings · 38 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 17.0 · 2 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2014-11-13 - Data updated: 2026-07-31 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/to-the-9s/id930149662/reviews.md ## What is To The 9s? How many words with 4 or more letters can you create from the matrix? (Remember to include the central red letter in your words!) Can you guess the 9-letter word? Features: •A fun tool for building vocabulary! •Instant online access to the popular Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary •Builtin dictionary includes British Commonwealth and American variations. •Based on the popular Target Puzzle seen in many publications. •10 free puzzles are included, and more are available for purchase! •No ads! Instructions: •Tap any letter in the 3 x 3 matrix to send it to the tray below. •Tap any letter in the tray to return it to the matrix. •Drag letters anywhere in the tray to create new words or take a fresh look. (Note: Lay your finger on a letter for 1 second before dragging.) •Tap “Clear Tray” to return all letters to the matrix. •Ready to hazard a guess? Tap “Submit Word”. •Navigate to new puzzles by swiping right or tap button. Return via left swipe or button. You will receive instant online feedback from Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary when you submit a new potential entry for a To The 9s Word List. If you are correct, your Word List will grow and boost you to a new rank! Note: We have been building an independent supplementary mini-dictionary to support local lingo.  Please let us know if you find a good candidate, at tech support: http://tothenineswordgame.weebly.com. ## Key features - Form words from a 3x3 letter matrix - Must include central red letter - Instant Merriam-Webster dictionary feedback - Build vocabulary and increase rank - Includes British and American dictionary variations - No ads ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Word Packet 1 | $0.99 | one-time | | Word Packet 2 | $0.99 | one-time | | Word Packet 3 | $0.99 | one-time | | Word Packet 4 | $0.99 | one-time | | Word Packet 5 | $0.99 | one-time | | Word Packet 6 | $0.99 | one-time | | Word Packet 8 | $0.99 | one-time | | Word Packet 9 | $0.99 | one-time | | Word Packet 10 | $0.99 | one-time | | Word Packet 11 | $0.99 | one-time | | Word Packet 7 | $0.99 | one-time | ## Recent user reviews (10 of 38) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/to-the-9s/id930149662/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Cannot access previous or new packets *2026-07-04, version 5.4* Cannot access new packets. Tried deleting app and reloading. Message is slightly off skew on screen and won’t download any packets either previous purchases or new ### 5/5 — Great app *2025-08-11, version 5.3* Perfect for keeping the mind occupied ### 2/5 — It’s an ‘S’ thing *2025-03-18, version 5.1* Seems to be some issue where your programming for words ending in ‘s ‘ is malfunctioning. The word “thesis” is entirely valid. ### 1/5 — Disappointed *2024-07-02, version 4.3* I used the word “ablute” in the first game I played which the game doesn’t recognise It’s hard to see why you’d play a game like this It makes doing your best impossible I think traditionally the game is supposed to know more words than I do ### 3/5 — There’s no 9 letter word *2024-06-24, version 4.2* To the 9s - 25/5 - there does not appear to be a 9 letter word to match this CKLMNREOO. What is it meant to be? ### 4/5 — Best of the few *2024-06-18, version 4.2* It’s a good word finding game, you can move on to the next game at anytime. Start inputting words to remove the instructions. No timer worries, just play. ### 5/5 — Thank again *2024-04-02, version 4.2* This game really makes you think ### 3/5 — Disappointing *2023-06-10, version 4.0* This game is ‘pig in a poke!’ Just a bit of a joke, thankfully I woke, probably designed by a bloke and deserves to ‘go up in smoke’! ### 5/5 — Really Fun & Helps me learn more words! *2023-02-18, version 4.0* This word game is really fun and forces me to use random letter combinations to make new words and learn them. It really switches on my brain and I feel an indescribable surge of happiness and relief when I find out another word, it’s not too addictive and I would recommend it to literally anyone! 😃 ### 3/5 — Grow your dictionary *2022-11-17, version 3.56* I enjoy this game and it’s a nice, straightforward interface. But the rejection of real words (eg. neem - a tree; perve with an E at the end) is nonsensical and needs attention. Please update your word banks! It’s puzzling when words are permitted in the Scrabble app but not here. Yes, not everyone uses American or British English - find a way to build both into your game. It’s getting very tiresome. ## Frequently asked questions about To The 9s ### What is To The 9s? To The 9s is a word puzzle game where players create words of four or more letters from a 3x3 grid of letters, always incorporating the central red letter. The game provides instant feedback using the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary. ### How do I play To The 9s? You tap letters in the 3x3 matrix to send them to a tray, rearrange them in the tray to form words, and then submit your word. The game includes instructions on how to drag letters and navigate between puzzles. ### Is To The 9s free to play? The app includes 10 free puzzles to start. Additional puzzles are available for purchase, indicating a free-to-play model with optional in-app purchases for more content. ### What dictionaries does the app use? The app uses the popular Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, which includes both British Commonwealth and American variations. It also mentions building a supplementary mini-dictionary for local lingo. ### What are the benefits of playing To The 9s? Playing To The 9s is a fun way to build vocabulary and improve word-forming skills. Instant feedback from a reputable dictionary helps players learn and confirm correct entries, boosting their rank as they progress. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 5.5 — 2026-07-27 Apple's new iPadOS Version 26.2 reduced the screen area that was visible to the user in the window that allowed purchases & recoveries of new word packets. A programmatic update to the settings fixed this problem. This affected only the iPad. ### 5.4 — 2026-02-17 Word Packet 33 is released. Enjoy! ### 5.3 — 2025-04-23 User Interface stability was improved. ### 5.2 — 2025-03-30 There was a problem purchasing and restoring puzzle packets on the iPad. Purchasing should now be fully functional on all devices. ### 5.1 — 2025-02-19 • Complete online access to all words in the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary is provided • All valid words will be accepted, with instant feedback • Word Packet 32 is now available, containing 10 brand new puzzles for To The 9s ## Apps similar to To The 9s | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [NineWords](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ninewords/id6741031865) | — | Free | Games | | [9 Letters - Find them all!](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/9-letters-find-them-all/id908054342) | 3.0 (2) | $0.99 | Games | | [Spell Grid : Word Jumble](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spell-grid-word-jumble/id603911137) | 4.7 (3,686) | Free | Games | | [Letterbox Word Puzzle](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/letterbox-word-puzzle/id6760183138) | — | Free | Games | | [Spell Grid 2 : Jumble Letters](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spell-grid-2-jumble-letters/id980575142) | 4.7 (750) | Free | Games | | [Neuroscape Worder](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/neuroscape-worder/id1609445993) | — | Free | Games | ## More apps by Lauren Sherman - [Set Me Free!](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/set-me-free/id1512505338) All apps by Lauren Sherman: https://appshunter.io/developer/930149661 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-31.*