Have you ever tried the New York Times Spelling Bee? There’s something very satisfying about spotting that hidden word that seems right in front of you. Today’s puzzle is especially engaging because the letter combo is simple at first glance, but hides some trickier possibilities. Below is the full list of valid words, some strategies to improve your solving speed, and room for you to add any words you came across that aren’t listed.

About today’s puzzle

Today’s Spelling Bee puzzle had a fun and quirky set of letters to work with: U, M, H, K, C, N, and the mandatory center letter I. At first glance, the letter mix looked a little tricky, but once you start pulling at threads, some neat words popped out.

Spelling Bee Answers for 12th September 2025

  • munchkin (bonus/pangram — uses I + C H K M N U)
  • minimum
  • minium
  • humic
  • cinch
  • humic
  • minim
  • cumin
  • inch
  • chin
  • chic
  • nick
  • knick
  • kink
  • mink
  • mini
  • hick

Quick tactics for any puzzle

  1. Start with the center letter.
    Since every word must include it, try building short “roots” with that letter first, then expand.
  2. Play with prefixes and suffixes.
    Look for common starters (like re-, pre-, tri-) and endings (like -er, -ry, -ing). These patterns often unlock multiple words.
  3. Anagram your discoveries.
    Once you’ve found a word, shuffle its letters around — you’ll often uncover two or three more.
  4. Use repeated letters.
    Remember, the same letter can appear more than once. Doubling letters opens up words you might otherwise overlook.
  5. Hunt for pangrams.
    Try to use all seven letters at least once. Pangrams aren’t always easy, but when you find one, it feels like striking gold.

Habits to sharpen your skills

  • Begin with easy 4-letter words to get your brain moving.
  • Rotate vowels and consonants through different combinations to see what “clicks.”
  • Step away and return later — fresh eyes will catch words you missed.

Optional tools if you want extra help

  • Pen and paper. Writing the letters down or sketching patterns can reveal hidden words.
  • Word-finding apps. Great for study or practice, but use sparingly if you want to keep the challenge.
  • Personal word journal. Track words you miss often — over time, you’ll train yourself to recognize them quickly.

Spelled Up!

Spelling Bee thrives on patience, pattern-spotting, and that spark when the grid suddenly clicks into place. With today’s I-centered puzzle, you had plenty of hooks (-in, -ick, kin-) to push toward longer, more surprising finds. Keep practicing — every day sharpens your eye for words hiding in plain sight.

So — where did you land on September 12?