Here are today's NYT Spelling Bee hints and answers for August 18, 2026. Solving tips and the hive letters come first; answer lists stay collapsed until you want them.
How to solve Spelling Bee
Every word must use the center letter. Build outward from there.
- Keep B in every try. Outer letters today are A, D, E, G, H, N.
- Start with short words (four letters) that use the center, then stretch them with -S, -ED, -ING, -ER, or -LY when the hive allows it.
- Pangrams use every letter at least once. If you can make a long word that feels "full," check whether it hits all seven letters.
- Switch the board orientation in your head: fix two outer letters beside the center and brainstorm stems.
- Stuck on the hive? Paste the same letters into the word unscrambler or the anagram solver and scan for center-letter hits.
Today's Spelling Bee letters
Center letter: B. Outer letters: A, D, E, G, H, N.
Today's Spelling Bee hints
There are 40 answers today, including 2 pangrams. The longest word is 8 letters.
Today's Spelling Bee pangrams
Reveal today's pangrams
- HEADBANG
- HEADBANGED
The pangram 'headbanged' fits the Spelling Bee because it uses the center letter B and every allowed letter, meaning it must be spelled in full to count.
I tried headbanging to the Spelling Bee rules, but I only got a concussion and a 'not a word' from the editor.
Today's Spelling Bee answers
Reveal today's Spelling Bee answers
All 40 answers for August 18, 2026, grouped by length:
4 letters
ABED, BABA, BABE, BADE, BAND, BANE, BANG, BEAD, BEAN, BEEN, BEND
5 letters
6 letters
BADGED, BAGGED, BANANA, BANDED, BANGED, BANNED, BEADED, BEANED, BEDDED, BEGGED, BEHEAD, DABBED, GABBED, NABBED
7 letters
BAGGAGE, BANDAGE, BANDANA, BEANBAG, BEDHEAD, HANDBAG, HENBANE
8 letters
How to play NYT Spelling Bee
Make words of four or more letters using the outer letters plus the required center letter. A pangram uses every letter at least once.
FAQ
Where can I play Spelling Bee?
On the New York Times Games site and in the NYT Games app.
Stuck making words from the hive?
Try the same rack in the word unscrambler or the anagram solver.