Spelling Bee Answers — September 12, 2026

    The full word list and pangrams for the NYT Spelling Bee from September 12, 2026.

    Daily brief

    Spelling bee #22360

    Saturday, September 12, 2026

    ready

    Updated

    Today's hints

    Hive: center I; outer A, L, M, P, R, T

    No spoiler-safe hint lines have passed verification for this puzzle.

    Difficulty: 4

    This band is shown with every input used to compute it.

    • accepted-word total
    • length distribution
    • pangram count

    Spelling Bee Puzzle

    Edited by Sam Ezersky

    Saturday, September 12, 2026

    Today's Letters

    A
    L
    M
    I
    P
    R
    T

    Create words using letters from the hive. Words must:

    • Be at least 4 letters long
    • Include the center letter I

    284Max Points
    70Words Found
    1Pangrams
    4.1Avg Points/Word

    The Spelling Bee pangram for Saturday, September 12, 2026 was IMPARTIAL, out of 70 total words worth 284 points.

    Solution Details

    A (8)

    ►

    I (5)

    ►

    L (8)

    ►

    M (10)

    ►

    P (16)

    ►

    R (5)

    ►

    T (18)

    ►

    Yesterday's full result

    2026-09-11

    Center Letter
    K
    Outer Letters
    A, C, D, E, H, I
    Words
    • Word
      CHICKADEE
      Scrabble Score
      21
      Wwf Score
      22
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      any of various small grey-and-black songbirds of North America
      Is Pangram
      Yes
    • Word
      CAKE
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      11
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CAKED
      Scrabble Score
      12
      Wwf Score
      13
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CHECK
      Scrabble Score
      16
      Wwf Score
      17
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a written order directing a bank to pay money
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CHECKED
      Scrabble Score
      19
      Wwf Score
      20
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      patterned with alternating squares of color
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CHEEK
      Scrabble Score
      14
      Wwf Score
      14
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      either side of the face below the eyes
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CHICK
      Scrabble Score
      16
      Wwf Score
      17
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      young bird especially of domestic fowl
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DECK
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      12
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      any of various platforms built into a vessel
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DECKED
      Scrabble Score
      14
      Wwf Score
      15
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DEKE
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      9
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DEKED
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      11
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DIKE
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      EKED
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      9
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      HACK
      Scrabble Score
      13
      Wwf Score
      13
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      one who works hard at boring tasks
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      HACKED
      Scrabble Score
      16
      Wwf Score
      16
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      HAKA
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      10
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      HAKE
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the lean flesh of a fish similar to cod
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      HECK
      Scrabble Score
      13
      Wwf Score
      13
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      HICK
      Scrabble Score
      13
      Wwf Score
      13
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a person who is not very intelligent or interested in culture
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      HIKE
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a long walk usually for exercise or pleasure
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      HIKED
      Scrabble Score
      13
      Wwf Score
      12
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      KHAKI
      Scrabble Score
      16
      Wwf Score
      15
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a sturdy twilled cloth of a yellowish brown color used especially for military uniforms
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      KICK
      Scrabble Score
      14
      Wwf Score
      15
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the act of delivering a blow with the foot
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      KICKED
      Scrabble Score
      17
      Wwf Score
      18
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      KIDDED
      Scrabble Score
      13
      Wwf Score
      13
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      KIDDIE
      Scrabble Score
      12
      Wwf Score
      12
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      informal term for a young child
      Is Pangram
      No
    Pangrams
    CHICKADEE

    Source verification

    Sources
    1
    Agreement
    single
    Confidence
    confirmed
    • 1: verified (0 ms)

    Checked 2026-09-12T07:30:02.164Z

    Recent answers

    • 2026-09-11 — centerLetter: K · outerLetters: A, C, D, E, H, I · totalWords: 26 · totalScore: 100 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Friday
    • 2026-09-10 — centerLetter: U · outerLetters: A, D, E, H, L, N · totalWords: 53 · totalScore: 258 · pangramCount: 2 · weekday: Thursday
    • 2026-09-06 — centerLetter: B · outerLetters: A, D, E, G, N, O · totalWords: 68 · totalScore: 320 · pangramCount: 2 · weekday: Sunday
    • 2026-09-04 — centerLetter: D · outerLetters: A, E, L, N, Y, Z · totalWords: 66 · totalScore: 297 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Friday
    • 2026-09-02 — centerLetter: F · outerLetters: A, I, L, N, P, T · totalWords: 31 · totalScore: 138 · pangramCount: 2 · weekday: Wednesday
    • 2026-08-31 — centerLetter: L · outerLetters: A, B, D, O, R, Y · totalWords: 60 · totalScore: 276 · pangramCount: 2 · weekday: Monday
    • 2026-08-30 — centerLetter: E · outerLetters: C, G, I, N, T, X · totalWords: 43 · totalScore: 201 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Sunday
    • 2026-08-29 — centerLetter: T · outerLetters: A, D, H, I, N, O · totalWords: 42 · totalScore: 184 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Saturday
    • 2026-08-28 — centerLetter: V · outerLetters: A, D, I, L, T, Y · totalWords: 21 · totalScore: 119 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Friday
    • 2026-08-27 — centerLetter: T · outerLetters: A, M, O, R, W, Y · totalWords: 51 · totalScore: 216 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Thursday
    • 2026-08-26 — centerLetter: K · outerLetters: C, D, E, H, N, U · totalWords: 34 · totalScore: 150 · pangramCount: 2 · weekday: Wednesday
    • 2026-08-25 — centerLetter: B · outerLetters: G, I, N, O, T, U · totalWords: 40 · totalScore: 218 · pangramCount: 2 · weekday: Tuesday
    • 2026-08-24 — centerLetter: N · outerLetters: A, D, M, O, R, T · totalWords: 57 · totalScore: 274 · pangramCount: 2 · weekday: Monday
    • 2026-08-21 — centerLetter: U · outerLetters: D, G, H, N, O, R · totalWords: 23 · totalScore: 95 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Friday

    Archive statistics

    Averages By Weekday
    Friday
    Average Words
    38.5
    Average Score
    179.4
    Thursday
    Average Words
    38.7
    Average Score
    184.7
    Sunday
    Average Words
    51.2
    Average Score
    254.3
    Wednesday
    Average Words
    38.1
    Average Score
    162.7
    Monday
    Average Words
    45.4
    Average Score
    199.7
    Saturday
    Average Words
    51.5
    Average Score
    248.3
    Tuesday
    Average Words
    39.3
    Average Score
    187.6
    Center Vowel Share
    0.22
    Most Generous
    Date
    2026-08-09
    Center Letter
    H
    Outer Letters
    A, C, E, L, O, T
    Total Words
    77
    Total Score
    346
    Pangram Count
    2
    Weekday
    Sunday
    Least Generous
    Date
    2026-08-05
    Center Letter
    Y
    Outer Letters
    A, F, H, K, O, R
    Total Words
    17
    Total Score
    82
    Pangram Count
    1
    Weekday
    Wednesday
    Pangram Count Distribution
    1
    41
    2
    19
    3
    7

    How this brief was computed

    Hint classes: computed

    Generated lines used: 0

    Verification run: 20260912T074501Z

    How It Works

    Spelling Bee requires making words using available letters, with each word containing the center letter. Our tool will help you discover all possible combinations.

    Rules of the Game

    • Words must have at least 4 letters
    • Words must include the center letter
    • Letters can be used more than once
    • The NYT word list excludes obscure, hyphenated, or proper nouns
    • 4-letter words are worth 1 point each
    • Longer words earn 1 point per letter
    • Pangrams (words that use all 7 letters) earn 7 extra points

    Scoring Ranks

    Beginner: 0 points
    Good Start: 2 points
    Moving Up: 5 points
    Good: 8 points
    Solid: 15 points
    Nice: 25 points
    Great: 40 points
    Amazing: 50 points
    Genius: 70 points
    Queen Bee: Find all words!

    Our tool analyzes the daily puzzle and finds all valid words, helping you achieve "Genius" status and maybe even reach "Queen Bee" by finding all possible words!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is a pangram in Spelling Bee?

    A pangram is a word that uses all 7 letters from the honeycomb at least once. Pangrams are worth 7 bonus points on top of their regular letter points. Finding all pangrams is key to reaching Genius and Queen Bee levels.

    How many points do I need to reach Genius in Spelling Bee?

    Genius rank requires earning approximately 70% of the maximum possible points for that day's puzzle. The exact point threshold varies daily based on how many words and pangrams are available.

    What is Queen Bee rank in Spelling Bee?

    Queen Bee is the highest rank in Spelling Bee, achieved only by finding every single valid word in the puzzle. It's the ultimate challenge and requires discovering all words, including obscure ones.

    Spelling Bee strategy & tips

    Hunt the pangram first

    Every Spelling Bee has at least one pangram — a word that uses all seven letters — and it’s worth a 7-point bonus on top of its length score. Finding it early is the biggest single swing in your score and often reveals the “shape” of the day’s vocabulary.

    To find it, list the seven letters and look for likely combinations: a pangram almost always needs the center letter plus every outer letter, so scan for common roots that can absorb all of them (think “-ING,” “-TION,” or a compound).

    Mine prefixes and suffixes

    Most of your word count comes from systematically extending stems. Once you find a valid base word, try every legal affix:

    • Suffixes: -ING, -ED, -ER, -EST, -LY, -TION, -MENT, -NESS (only if the needed letters are present).
    • Prefixes: RE-, UN-, DE-, OUT-, OVER- when those letters are in the set.
    • Plurals and verb forms: if S is available, most nouns and verbs double your entries.

    Working stem-by-stem instead of guessing randomly is how players clear the higher ranks — our Spelling Bee tips guide walks through the full stem-mining routine.

    The ranks, and what “Genius” really takes

    Spelling Bee scores you up a ladder — Beginner, Good Start, Moving Up, Good, Solid, Nice, Great, Amazing, Genius — with Queen Bee reserved for finding every single word. Genius is about 70% of the total possible points, so you do not need every word to hit it; you need the long words and the pangram.

    Prioritize length: a 7- or 8-letter word is worth far more than several 4-letter words, so when you’re close to a rank, reach for longer entries.

    Rules that trip people up

    • Every word must include the center letter — no exceptions.
    • Words must be at least four letters; three-letter words don’t count.
    • Letters can be reused as many times as you like (e.g. if the set allows it, “LEVEL” or “MAMMA”-style repetition is fine).
    • No proper nouns, hyphenated words, or obscure/offensive entries — the dictionary is curated.

    Words people consistently miss

    The Bee loves slightly old-fashioned or less-common-but-valid words — things like NatterING, words with unusual letter doublings, and short interjections. If you’re a few words short of a rank, try less obvious vowel combinations and uncommon four-letter words before assuming you’ve found everything — or check your blind spots with our Spelling Bee solver.

    A fresh Spelling Bee is released daily; the letters and pangram change each day, so the skill is the search method, not memorization. Past puzzles live in the Spelling Bee archive if you want extra practice.