The New York Times Spelling Bee for January 13, 2026 offers a familiar-looking grid that still manages to surprise. As always, every valid word must be at least four letters long and include the center letter, M. Today’s letters lean toward short, punchy words, but there’s also room for longer constructions if you stay patient and keep experimenting.

About today’s puzzle

With M in the center, today’s hive combines soft consonants and friendly vowels. The mix of E, I, and Y opens the door to many repeats, while letters like T, L, and N help extend words. Overall, the puzzle feels open once you spot the main patterns, though it can feel tight early on.

NYT Spelling Bee Words and Answers: January 13, 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.

  • ITEM
  • LIME
  • LIMIT
  • LIMN
  • LINEMEN
  • LINIMENT
  • MEET
  • MELEE
  • MELT
  • MELTY
  • MEME
  • MENTEE
  • METE
  • METTLE
  • MIEN
  • MILE
  • MILL
  • MILLET
  • MIME
  • MINE
  • MINI
  • MINIM
  • MINT
  • MINTY
  • MITE
  • MITT

Pangram of the day

Today’s pangram is eminently, a satisfying find that pulls together every letter in the hive. It works because it leans heavily on repeated vowels while still weaving in N, T, L, and Y naturally. It’s the kind of word that doesn’t jump out immediately, but once you see it, everything clicks into place.

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.

Wrap Up

January 13’s puzzle is a good reminder that patience pays off in Spelling Bee. Small words build momentum, and longer ones often appear when you least expect them. How many did you find today, and did you catch the pangram early?