Words With Q: Complete Scrabble Strategy From QI to QUARTZ

The Q Tile: Scrabble’s Most Feared Letter

Drawing the Q tile in Scrabble triggers immediate anxiety for most players. At 10 points, it’s the joint-highest-value tile in the game — but it’s also the hardest to play. The overwhelming majority of Q words require a U, and there are only four U tiles in the bag. If they’re already on the board or your opponent holds them, you’re stuck with a 10-point liability that penalizes you at game’s end.

But Q doesn’t have to be scary. With the right word knowledge and strategy, Q can be your highest-scoring tile. This guide covers everything: the essential QU words, the crucial Q-without-U words, and the strategic decisions that turn Q from a burden into a weapon.

The Most Important Q Word: QI

QI (11 pts) is the single most valuable word to know in Scrabble. It’s a two-letter word meaning “life force” in Chinese philosophy, and it lets you play Q without needing U on your rack. At 11 base points for just two tiles, QI is already a good score. On a Triple Letter Score for the Q, it hits 31 points. Parallel to an existing word creating multiple two-letter crosswords, QI regularly scores 25-40 points.

If you remember nothing else from this article, remember QI. It’s the escape hatch that makes drawing Q bearable in any situation.

Essential QU Words by Length

3-Letter QU Words

QUA (12 pts) — In the capacity of. Short, useful, and fits tight spaces.

4-Letter QU Words

QUIZ (22 pts) — The classic. Uses both Q and Z for a massive 22 base points. On a DWS, that’s 44 points from four tiles.

QUAY (16 pts) — A wharf. Uses the high-value Y tile alongside Q.

QUAD (14 pts), QUAG (14 pts), QUIP (15 pts), QUIT (13 pts) — All solid 4-letter options with good point values.

5-Letter QU Words

QUALM (16 pts), QUAFF (20 pts), QUARK (18 pts), QUASI (14 pts), QUEEN (14 pts), QUERY (17 pts), QUEST (14 pts), QUEUE (14 pts), QUICK (20 pts), QUIET (14 pts), QUILT (14 pts), QUOTA (14 pts), QUOTE (14 pts) — Strong everyday words. QUAFF and QUICK stand out at 20 points each.

6-7 Letter QU Words (Bingo Candidates)

QUARTZ (24 pts) — Q + Z = 24 base points + 50 bingo bonus = 74+ points. One of the dream plays in Scrabble.

QUARREL (16 pts), QUARTER (16 pts), SQUEEZE (25 pts), QUALITY (19 pts), QUANTUM (18 pts), QUICKLY (25 pts) — All 7-letter bingo candidates using the Q. SQUEEZE and QUICKLY are especially valuable at 25 base points.

Q-Without-U Words: Your Survival Kit

When you have Q but no U, these words save your game. We have a complete Q-without-U word list, but here are the essentials:

QI (11 pts) — The must-know word. Life force in Chinese philosophy.

QADI (14 pts) — An Islamic judge. Four letters, no U needed.

QANAT (14 pts) — An irrigation tunnel. Five letters with two A’s.

QOPH (18 pts) — A Hebrew letter. High score at 18 points using the PH combination.

QINTAR (15 pts) — Albanian currency. Six letters, still no U.

QWERTY (21 pts) — The keyboard layout. Valid in Scrabble and scores beautifully.

TRANQ (14 pts) — Short for tranquilizer. Ends in Q, which is unusual and catches opponents off guard.

SUQ (12 pts) — A Middle Eastern marketplace. Only three letters. Also spelled SOUK but SUQ is the version that works without U preceding Q.

Strategic Q Management

When You Draw Q Early

If you draw Q in the first few turns, play it as soon as reasonably possible. Don’t hold Q waiting for the perfect play — the longer you hold it, the more it costs you in rack flexibility. A 20-point QI play in the early game is better than holding Q for six turns hoping for QUIZ.

When You Draw Q Late

In the endgame, Q becomes more dangerous because the remaining tiles are known. If you can track that all U tiles are already played and you don’t have the letters for a Q-without-U word, exchange Q immediately (if tiles remain in the bag) or try to play QI at the first opportunity.

The Q Exchange Decision

If your rack is Q, V, W, U, I, I, C — should you play QUICK for 20 points or exchange Q, V, W for a better rack? The answer depends on the board state and score. If you’re ahead, play QUICK and keep your lead. If you’re behind by 50+ points, exchanging might be better because you need a bingo to catch up, and Q clogs your bingo potential.

Tracking U Tiles

There are exactly 4 U tiles in a Scrabble set. Pay attention to how many have been played. If you see 3 U’s on the board and you don’t have the 4th, your Q options just narrowed to Q-without-U words only. This knowledge should inform whether you hold Q or exchange it.

Need help finding Q words from your tiles? Our Word Unscrambler handles Q beautifully — enter your letters including Q and see every possible word instantly.