Looking for help with today’s NYT Spelling Bee puzzle? We’ve got all the hints, tips, and complete answers for the January 12, 2026 challenge. Whether you need a small nudge or the full solution, we’ve got you covered!
Today’s Spelling Bee Stats
- Total Words: 31
- Total Points: 153
- Pangrams: 1
- Center Letter: P
Letter Distribution
Today’s puzzle uses seven letters: A, C, M, N, O, P, with P as the center letter. Every word must contain the letter P.
Here’s how words break down by starting letter:
| Letter | Count |
|---|---|
| A | 1 |
| C | 9 |
| M | 1 |
| N | 1 |
| O | 1 |
| P | 18 |
Word Length Breakdown
- 4 letters: 10 words
- 5 letters: 7 words
- 6 letters: 6 words
- 7 letters: 3 words
- 8 letters: 2 words
- 9 letters: 2 words
- 10 letters: 1 word
Today’s Pangram
COMPANION – This 9-letter word uses all seven letters and means a person you spend time with or a friend.
Helpful Hints Before Revealing Answers
- Think about musical instruments
- Consider words related to camping
- There’s a tropical fish in the puzzle
- One word describes a foolish person
- Look for food-related terms
For more daily puzzle solutions, check out our NYT Strands guide for complete answers and strategies!
Complete Answer List
10-Letter Word
- NINCOMPOOP
9-Letter Words
- COMPANION (pangram)
- POINCIANA
8-Letter Words
- CIOPPINO
- MINICAMP
7-Letter Words
- CANOPIC
- OPINION
- POMPANO
6-Letter Words
- PANAMA
- PANINI
- PICNIC
- PINION
- PIPPIN
- POMPOM
5-Letter Words
- APIAN
- CAMPO
- CAPON
- PAMPA
- PANIC
- PIANO
- POPPA
4-Letter Words
- CAMP
- CAPO
- COMP
- COOP
- PAIN
- PAPA
- PICA
- PIMP
- POMP
- POOP
Tips for Reaching Genius Level
- Start with the pangram – Finding COMPANION early boosts your score significantly
- Try letter combinations – Double letters like PP appear frequently today
- Think of compound concepts – MINICAMP and NINCOMPOOP combine familiar elements
- Don’t forget, proper nouns become common – PANAMA refers to the hat style
Why Spelling Bee Is Addictive
NYT Spelling Bee challenges vocabulary skills daily. Players love the satisfaction of discovering obscure words and reaching Genius rank. If you enjoy word puzzles, explore more challenges at Shrinkle for additional brain-training games.
Final Thoughts
Today’s puzzle features an excellent mix of common and unusual words. NINCOMPOOP and CIOPPINO might challenge some players, while PIANO and PANIC are easier finds. Keep practicing, and you’ll become a Spelling Bee master!
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