What are the best Scrabble words for Double Word Score squares?

High base-value words maximize DWS: JINX (18×2=36), QUIZ (22×2=44), QUARTZ (24×2=48), FJORD (12×2=24). The key is total word value — DWS doubles everything, so pack as many points into the word as possible.

How do Double Word Score squares work in Scrabble?

DWS multiplies the entire word's score by 2. First calculate all tile values (including any letter multipliers), then double the total. A 15-point word on DWS becomes 30 points. DWS only applies when you first cover the square — it's deactivated for future plays on that spot.

How many Double Word Score squares are on a Scrabble board?

There are 17 DWS squares (pink/rose) on a standard board, plus 8 TWS squares (red). The center star counts as a DWS for the opening move. DWS squares form diagonal lines radiating from the corners toward the center.

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Best Scrabble Words for Double Word Squares — DWS Strategy

June 22, 2026 6 min read

Double Word Score squares multiply your entire word by 2 — not just one tile, but everything. This makes them fundamentally different from TLS (which only triples one letter). The strategy shifts: instead of positioning one high-value tile, you want maximum total word value crossing the DWS. A 20-point word on DWS = 40 points. Load your word with as many high-value tiles as possible.

DWS squares

×2

Word multiplier

48 pts

QUARTZ on DWS

44 pts

QUIZ on DWS

Top Words for DWS by Doubled Score

These words deliver maximum value when one of their tiles lands on a DWS square. Sorted by doubled total score.

Word	Base	On DWS	Length
QUARTZ	24	48	6
QUIZ	22	44	4
JINX	18	36	4
JAZZY	33	66	5
FOXED	16	32	5
QUIRKY	22	44	6
FJORD	16	32	5
KAYAK	16	32	5
PROXY	17	34	5
WALTZ	17	34	5

DWS vs TLS — When to Choose Which

💡 Key Insight

TLS is better for one expensive tile (Z on TLS = +20 bonus). DWS is better for expensive words (QUARTZ on DWS = +24 bonus). Rule of thumb: if your word scores 12+ points, DWS gives more bonus than TLS on any single tile. Below 12 points, TLS on your best tile wins.

✓ Use DWS When

Word scores 12+ base points. Multiple high-value tiles. Longer words (5-7 letters). Total word value matters more than any single tile.

→ Use TLS When

Short word (2-3 letters) with one power tile. Z, Q, X, or J is your only high scorer. Word total is under 12 points. Precise tile positioning possible.

Strategy Tips for DWS Plays

Stack high-value tiles: DWS doubles EVERYTHING. QUARTZ (Q=10, Z=10) on DWS = 48 points. The more expensive tiles in your word, the bigger the DWS payoff compared to TLS.

First move advantage: The center star is a DWS. Your opening word is automatically doubled. Start with the highest-scoring word you can form — JINX (36), QUIZ (44), or QUARTZ (48) as openers are devastating.

TLS + DWS combo: If a word crosses both a TLS and DWS, apply the TLS first (tripling one letter), then double the entire word. Z on TLS within a DWS word = Z scores 30, then the whole word doubles. This is how 80+ point plays happen.

Don't expose DWS for free: If your word ends one square before a DWS, your opponent can extend it (adding one letter) and claim the DWS bonus on their word. Block DWS lanes or use them yourself.

📚 Dig Deeper

→ Best Words for Triple Letter Squares — single-tile multiplier strategy → Best Words for Premium Squares — complete premium guide

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Building Your Word Arsenal

The difference between a 300-point game and a 400-point game often comes down to vocabulary depth. Players who invest time studying valid Scrabble words consistently outscore those who rely solely on common everyday vocabulary. The words on this page represent a focused subset of the Scrabble dictionary that you can realistically memorise and deploy in competitive play.

Start by identifying which words on this page you already know. Then focus your study time on the unfamiliar ones — particularly those with high point values or unusual letter combinations. The goal is not to memorise the entire dictionary but to build a working vocabulary of 5,000-10,000 words that covers the most common game situations.

Consider keeping a word journal where you record new discoveries from each study session. Writing words down activates different memory pathways than simply reading them. Many tournament players carry small notebooks and review their most recent additions during breaks between rounds.

Applying These Words in Real Games

Knowing a word exists and successfully playing it in a game are two different skills. The bridge between them is pattern recognition — training your brain to spot opportunities for specific words when you see certain tile combinations on your rack. This comes through deliberate practice rather than passive memorisation.

When you study the words on this page, visualise how they would fit on a Scrabble board. Which premium squares could they reach? What letters would they need to hook onto? How many tiles from a typical rack would they consume? This kind of active visualisation builds the neural pathways that fire automatically during timed games.

One effective technique is to take each word and mentally construct the rack you would need to play it. Then ask yourself: if I drew those tiles, would I recognise the word opportunity immediately? If the answer is no, that word needs more study time. If yes, move on to the next unfamiliar word in your list.

Tournament players often practice with a specific study goal — for example, spending one week focused exclusively on 5-letter words containing a particular letter pattern, then the following week on 6-letter words. This structured approach prevents the overwhelm of trying to learn everything simultaneously.

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📚 Sources & References

• SOWPODS International Dictionary (267,751 words), Collins + TWL combined
• Tournament Word List (TWL06), NASPA Word List Committee
• Collins Scrabble Words (CSW), HarperCollins Publishers
• Tile distribution & values per Hasbro official Scrabble rules