Q Without U: The Word Game Player's Secret Weapon
Every word game has its pressure moments, and in Scrabble, drawing the Q tile ranks near the top. The Q is worth 10 points — tied with Z for the highest value — but it's also the tile most likely to strand you if you don't know the right words. Here's the good news: Q-without-U words exist, and they're almost all borrowed from Arabic, Hebrew, and Chinese. QI (life force in Chinese philosophy) is the short one everyone should memorize first. After that, learn QAT (a plant whose leaves are chewed as a stimulant in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula), QADI (an Islamic judge), and QAID (a Muslim judge or chief). These four words alone will rescue you from most Q-without-U emergencies in Scrabble and Words With Friends.
Here's a fact that might shift your perspective: Q-starting words are heavily concentrated in the 6-to-8 letter range, with more than 400 of the 850 total falling in that band. Words like QUASAR, QUINTET, and QUOTIENT live there. For crossword solvers, this means a Q clue with six or seven blank squares is probably one of the more common QU- words, not the exotic Q-without-U variety. Meanwhile, Wordle players should know that QUERY, QUILT, QUOTA, QUIET, and QUART have all appeared as answers — every one of them a standard QU word. The Q-without-U words matter most in Scrabble, where you control which letters you play; in puzzles where the word is chosen for you, the QU pairing almost always holds.
One tactical note: QANAT (an irrigation tunnel, plural QANATS) is an underrated play that uses five common tiles alongside Q and scores 14 base points. It sits in a sweet spot — long enough to reach premium squares but short enough to fit on most boards. For more high-value tile strategies, explore words starting with X and words starting with Z. If you want to see Q from the other end, words ending in Q and words ending in QI complete the picture.
FAQ
How many Q-without-U words are valid in Scrabble?
The standard tournament dictionary includes about 30 Q-without-U words, ranging from the two-letter QI to longer entries like QINTARS and QINDARS. The most practical ones to memorize are QI, QAT, QADI, QAID, QANAT, and QOPH. You can find more unusual Q words on our full Q words list, and pair them with words ending in QI for maximum coverage.
What is QI and why do Scrabble players care about it?
QI refers to the vital life force in Chinese philosophy — it's central to acupuncture, martial arts, and traditional medicine. Scrabble players care because QI is only two letters, scores 11 points at minimum, and solves the most common Q-tile problem: not having a U. It was added to the Official Scrabble Players Dictionary in 2006 and immediately changed competitive play. Also check words starting with Z for another high-value two-letter option (ZA).
Does Q always need U in crossword puzzles?
Almost always. Crossword constructors occasionally use QI, QOPH, or QADI, but the vast majority of Q entries in standard crossword grids pair Q with U. If you see a Q in a crossword, try QU- combinations first. For the rare exceptions, our words ending in Q page covers the handful of Q-without-U words that constructors sometimes use.
Two-Letter Words (1)
Three-Letter Words (3)
Four-Letter Words (15)
Five-Letter Words (56)
Six-Letter Words (88)
Seven-Letter Words (131)
and 31 more — use the solver above to search
Eight-Letter Words (163)
and 63 more — use the solver above to search
Nine-Letter Words (128)
and 28 more — use the solver above to search