The New York Times Spelling Bee for January 3, 2026 presents a puzzle that rewards careful observation and methodical exploration. With C locked in the center and a set of vowel-rich letters surrounding it, today's hive invites you to build words outward while discovering some surprisingly sophisticated longer words hidden within.

About today's puzzle

Today's puzzle centers on C, with I, L, N, O, R, and U providing the supporting cast. The presence of both I and O gives you solid vowel coverage, while R and L are classic consonant helpers for building longer words. This hive feels deceptively straightforward at first—the letters are friendly and familiar—but patience reveals some gems, particularly in the six-letter range and beyond. The abundance of repeatable letters (notice how many C words there are) makes this a puzzle where layering really pays off.

NYT Spelling Bee Words and Answers: 3 January 2026

Here's the complete list of words that fit today's rules:

4 Letter Answers
  • COIL
  • COIN
  • COIR
  • COOL
  • CORN
  • CROC
  • CULL
  • CURL
  • ICON
  • LOCI
  • LOCO
  • URIC
5 Letter Answers
  • CIRRI
  • COCCI
  • COLIC
  • COLON
  • COLOR
  • CONIC
  • CROCI
  • CROON
  • CURIO
  • INCUR
  • IONIC
  • OCCUR
  • OCULI
  • RICIN
  • RUNIC
6 Letter Answers
  • CLINIC
  • COCOON
  • CONCUR
  • ICONIC
  • IRONIC
  • NUNCIO
  • ROCOCO
  • UNCOIL
  • UNCOOL
  • UNCURL
7 Letter Answers
  • COLONIC
  • COUNCIL
  • UNICORN
8 Letter Answers
  • UNICOLOR
  • UNIRONIC
9 Letter Answers
  • COUNCILOR (Pangram)

Pangrams of the day

COUNCILOR is your primary pangram today—a satisfying catch that uses all seven letters in a single, elegant word. This one has a formal ring to it, making it less immediately obvious than some pangrams, but once you spot it, you'll appreciate how naturally the letters flow together. There's also UNICOLOR (8 letters), which captures most of the hive and offers another path to bonus points if you haven't already claimed the big one.

Quick tactics for any puzzle

  • Start with the center letter
  • Play with prefixes and suffixes
  • Anagram your discoveries
  • Use repeated letters
  • Begin with easy 4-letter words

Final thoughts

Today's puzzle strikes a careful balance between accessibility and depth. The shorter words feel natural and quick to find, drawing you in with early wins. But the real challenge—and the real fun—lies in those middle-length words and the double-C constructions that initially feel impossible. Whether you're chasing the pangram or just enjoying the creative word-building process, there's plenty to discover here. Did you spot COUNCILOR on your own, or did it take some hunting? Share your experience and let us know which word gave you the most satisfaction!