Spelling Bee Answers — September 26, 2026

    The full word list and pangrams for the NYT Spelling Bee from September 26, 2026.

    Daily brief

    Spelling bee #26779

    Saturday, September 26, 2026

    ready

    Updated

    Today's hints

    Hive: center O; outer C, H, I, M, R, U

    Official totals
    Total Words
    30
    Pangram Count
    1
    Length histogram
    4
    7
    5
    15
    6
    6
    Other
    2
    Two-letter list
    CO
    5
    OTHER
    25
    Letter-by-length grid
    C
    5
    6
    OTHER
    Total
    24
    Pangram shape
    Count
    1
    Starts With Center
    No
    1. Today's honeycomb centers on O and adds 6 surrounding letters.
    2. The word list totals 30, and 1 of them are pangrams.

    Difficulty: 2

    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 26, 2026

    Today's Letters

    C
    H
    I
    O
    M
    R
    U

    Create words using letters from the hive. Words must:

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

    140Max Points
    30Words Found
    1Pangrams
    4.7Avg Points/Word

    The Spelling Bee pangram for Saturday, September 26, 2026 was CHROMIUM, out of 30 total words worth 140 points.

    Solution Details

    C (12)

    choirchromiumchurrococcicohocoircomiccouchcroccrocicrouchcurio

    H (4)

    hoochhorrorhourhumor

    I (1)

    ichor

    M (7)

    micromirrormochimoochmoormoroccomucho

    O (2)

    occurouch

    R (4)

    rococoromcomroomrumor

    Yesterday's full result

    2026-09-25

    Center Letter
    C
    Outer Letters
    A, D, E, I, N, V
    Words
    • Word
      DEVIANCE
      Scrabble Score
      14
      Wwf Score
      17
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a state or condition markedly different from the norm
      Is Pangram
      Yes
    • Word
      ACACIA
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      12
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      any of various spiny trees or shrubs of the genus Acacia
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ACAI
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      7
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ACCEDE
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      13
      Part Of Speech
      v
      Definition
      yield to another's wish or opinion
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ACCEDED
      Scrabble Score
      13
      Wwf Score
      15
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ACED
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      8
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ACID
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      any of various water-soluble compounds having a sour taste and capable of turning litmus red and reacting with a base to form a salt
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ACIDIC
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      13
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      being or containing an acid; of a solution having an excess of hydrogen atoms (having a pH of less than 7)
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ACNE
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      an inflammatory disease involving the sebaceous glands of the skin; characterized by papules or pustules or comedones
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ADVANCE
      Scrabble Score
      13
      Wwf Score
      16
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a movement forward
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ADVANCED
      Scrabble Score
      15
      Wwf Score
      18
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      farther along in physical or mental development
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ADVICE
      Scrabble Score
      12
      Wwf Score
      14
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a proposal for an appropriate course of action
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CADDIE
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      11
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      an attendant who carries the golf clubs for a player
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CADDIED
      Scrabble Score
      12
      Wwf Score
      13
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CADENCE
      Scrabble Score
      12
      Wwf Score
      15
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the close of a musical section
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CANCAN
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      14
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a high-kicking dance of French origin performed by a female chorus line
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CANDID
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      12
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CANDIED
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      13
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      encrusted with sugar or syrup
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CANE
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a stick that people can lean on to help them walk
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CANED
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      10
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CANID
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      any of various fissiped mammals with nonretractile claws and typically long muzzles
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CANINE
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      11
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      one of the four pointed conical teeth (two in each jaw) located between the incisors and the premolars
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CANNA
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      any plant of the genus Canna having large sheathing leaves and clusters of large showy flowers
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CANNED
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      12
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      recorded for broadcast
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CAVA
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      11
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CAVE
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      11
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CAVED
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      13
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CEDE
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      v
      Definition
      give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CEDED
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      10
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CICADA
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      13
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      stout-bodied insect with large membranous wings; male has drum-like organs for producing a high-pitched drone
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      CIVIC
      Scrabble Score
      12
      Wwf Score
      15
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      of or relating or belonging to a city
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DANCE
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      10
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      an artistic form of nonverbal communication
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DANCED
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      12
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DECADE
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      11
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a period of 10 years
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DECADENCE
      Scrabble Score
      15
      Wwf Score
      18
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the state of being degenerate in mental or moral qualities
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DECEIVE
      Scrabble Score
      13
      Wwf Score
      15
      Part Of Speech
      v
      Definition
      be false to; be dishonest with
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DECEIVED
      Scrabble Score
      15
      Wwf Score
      17
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DECIDE
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      11
      Part Of Speech
      v
      Definition
      reach, make, or come to a decision about something
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DECIDED
      Scrabble Score
      12
      Wwf Score
      13
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      recognizable; marked
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DEICE
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      v
      Definition
      make or become free of frost or ice
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DEICED
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      11
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DEICIDE
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      12
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DEVICE
      Scrabble Score
      12
      Wwf Score
      14
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DICE
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a small cube with 1 to 6 spots on the six faces; used in gambling to generate random numbers
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      DICED
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      10
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      EVIDENCE
      Scrabble Score
      14
      Wwf Score
      17
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      EVIDENCED
      Scrabble Score
      16
      Wwf Score
      19
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      supported by evidence
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      EVINCE
      Scrabble Score
      11
      Wwf Score
      14
      Part Of Speech
      v
      Definition
      give expression to
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      EVINCED
      Scrabble Score
      13
      Wwf Score
      16
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      ICED
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      8
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      INCIDENCE
      Scrabble Score
      14
      Wwf Score
      18
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      the relative frequency of occurrence of something
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      INDICA
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      11
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      INDICIA
      Scrabble Score
      10
      Wwf Score
      12
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      NIACIN
      Scrabble Score
      8
      Wwf Score
      11
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a B vitamin essential for the normal function of the nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      NICE
      Scrabble Score
      6
      Wwf Score
      8
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      NIECE
      Scrabble Score
      7
      Wwf Score
      9
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      a daughter of your brother or sister
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      VACCINE
      Scrabble Score
      14
      Wwf Score
      18
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      immunogen consisting of a suspension of weakened or dead pathogenic cells injected in order to stimulate the production of antibodies
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      VICE
      Scrabble Score
      9
      Wwf Score
      11
      Part Of Speech
      n
      Definition
      moral weakness
      Is Pangram
      No
    • Word
      VIVACE
      Scrabble Score
      14
      Wwf Score
      17
      Part Of Speech
      adj
      Definition
      (of tempo) very fast and lively
      Is Pangram
      No
    Pangrams
    DEVIANCE

    Source verification

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

    Checked 2026-09-26T07:30:01.832Z

    Recent answers

    • 2026-09-25 — centerLetter: C · outerLetters: A, D, E, I, N, V · totalWords: 59 · totalScore: 319 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Friday
    • 2026-09-24 — centerLetter: P · outerLetters: A, B, E, L, O, W · totalWords: 54 · totalScore: 201 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Thursday
    • 2026-09-23 — centerLetter: I · outerLetters: D, G, L, N, Y, Z · totalWords: 41 · totalScore: 224 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Wednesday
    • 2026-09-22 — centerLetter: N · outerLetters: O, Q, U, X, E, I · totalWords: 18 · totalScore: 78 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Tuesday
    • 2026-09-21 — centerLetter: N · outerLetters: A, B, E, J, L, Y · totalWords: 26 · totalScore: 105 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Monday
    • 2026-09-20 — centerLetter: H · outerLetters: A, C, E, I, L, T · totalWords: 79 · totalScore: 353 · pangramCount: 2 · weekday: Sunday
    • 2026-09-19 — centerLetter: B · outerLetters: G, I, L, N, O, T · totalWords: 58 · totalScore: 309 · pangramCount: 4 · weekday: Saturday
    • 2026-09-18 — centerLetter: A · outerLetters: C, I, N, Q, T, U · totalWords: 41 · totalScore: 209 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Friday
    • 2026-09-17 — centerLetter: M · outerLetters: A, F, I, L, O, Y · totalWords: 36 · totalScore: 124 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Thursday
    • 2026-09-16 — centerLetter: P · outerLetters: D, E, I, N, O, W · totalWords: 55 · totalScore: 248 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Wednesday
    • 2026-09-15 — centerLetter: M · outerLetters: C, G, I, N, P, R · totalWords: 19 · totalScore: 107 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Tuesday
    • 2026-09-14 — centerLetter: G · outerLetters: A, B, E, O, P, Y · totalWords: 21 · totalScore: 73 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Monday
    • 2026-09-13 — centerLetter: N · outerLetters: A, D, I, O, T, X · totalWords: 40 · totalScore: 222 · pangramCount: 3 · weekday: Sunday
    • 2026-09-12 — centerLetter: I · outerLetters: A, L, M, P, R, T · totalWords: 70 · totalScore: 284 · pangramCount: 1 · weekday: Saturday

    Archive statistics

    Averages By Weekday
    Friday
    Average Words
    46.3
    Average Score
    215.4
    Thursday
    Average Words
    41.9
    Average Score
    193.7
    Wednesday
    Average Words
    37.9
    Average Score
    165.3
    Tuesday
    Average Words
    38
    Average Score
    174.9
    Monday
    Average Words
    41.4
    Average Score
    179.4
    Sunday
    Average Words
    48.5
    Average Score
    245.4
    Saturday
    Average Words
    52.1
    Average Score
    254.7
    Center Vowel Share
    0.23
    Most Generous
    Date
    2026-09-20
    Center Letter
    H
    Outer Letters
    A, C, E, I, L, T
    Total Words
    79
    Total Score
    353
    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
    60
    2
    27
    3
    10
    4
    1

    How this brief was computed

    Hint classes: computed

    Generated lines used: 0

    Verification run: 20260926T074501Z

    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.