The New York Times Spelling Bee for January 7, 2026, offers a compact but clever challenge. As always, words must be at least four letters long and include the center letter. Today’s hive leans slightly consonant-heavy, with a nice balance of flexible letters that reward experimentation, repetition, and careful rearranging as you search for longer, higher-scoring words.

About today’s puzzle

Today’s puzzle centers on the letter P, surrounded by E, L, U, M, N, and D. The mix feels moderately open, thanks to friendly consonant pairings and repeatable letters. While vowels are limited, the structure encourages looping and extension, making it easier to build from short words into longer, more satisfying discoveries.

NYT Spelling Bee Words and Answers: 7 January 2026

Here’s a best-effort list of words that fit today’s rules. Keep in mind: some are rare or unusual, so the official NYT list may vary.

  • plum
  • pulp
  • dump
  • lump
  • plume
  • plenum
  • pended
  • penned
  • peened
  • upend
  • pummel
  • punned
  • pulped
  • plumed

Pangram of the day

The pangram for today is pendulum. It works perfectly because it uses every letter in the hive while keeping the center letter P firmly in place. What makes it fun is how naturally it flows once spotted, despite looking long at first glance. It’s a classic example of how familiar words can feel surprisingly hidden until the letters finally click together.

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.

Final thoughts

January 7’s Spelling Bee is a steady, satisfying solve that rewards patience over brute force. If you stuck with it, chances are the grid slowly opened up. How many words did you find, and did pendulum jump out early or late for you?