The New York Times Spelling Bee for January 8, 2026 offers another engaging word hunt built around seven carefully chosen letters. As always, every word must be at least four letters long and include the center letter. Today’s set feels balanced but sneaky, with a strong mix of vowels and flexible consonants that reward careful pattern-spotting.

About today’s puzzle

Today’s hive puts A in the center, supported by D, M, T, Y, E, and I. The mix leans slightly vowel-heavy, which opens up many combinations, but the lack of certain common consonants makes longer words harder to see. Overall, the puzzle feels open at first, then subtly restrictive as you chase higher scores.

NYT Spelling Bee Words and Answers: January 8, 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.

  • aide
  • aided
  • aimed
  • amid
  • amity
  • daddy
  • dame
  • dammed
  • dammit
  • data
  • date
  • dated
  • dead
  • deadeye
  • diadem
  • dyad
  • edamame
  • edema
  • idea

Pangram of the day

DAYTIME

The pangram today is a satisfying one because it feels natural rather than forced. It works by weaving together all seven letters without awkward repetition, and it’s a word many players already know. Using both vowels and consonants evenly, it showcases the full potential of the hive and often unlocks several smaller words once you spot it.

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 8’s Spelling Bee is a great reminder that simple-looking hives can still hide clever surprises. If you cracked a high score or spotted the pangram early, share how you did—or let me know which word took you the longest to find.