Spelling Bee hints & answers: Jan 31, 2026 (Puzzle #17185)

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints and full answers for the NYT Spelling Bee hive published on Jan 31, 2026 (2026-01-31 · Puzzle #17185).

Hive overview

This hive centers on R with six outer letters. It has 36 stored words, 1 pangram, and about 134 available points before rank thresholds.

A
F
I
R
L
O
W
Show structure hint

This hive has 36 playable words worth about 134 points in total. Aim to unlock the pangram and a few long words early to get ahead of the ranking curve.

There is 1 pangram hidden in this hive.

Show word-count hints

Word count matrix (starting letter × length):

R
4 letters8
5 letters
6 letters1
7+ letters1
Total10
A
4 letters4
5 letters1
6 letters1
7+ letters2
Total8
F
4 letters2
5 letters7
6 letters2
7+ letters1
Total12
I
4 letters
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters
Total0
L
4 letters3
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters
Total3
O
4 letters1
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters
Total1
W
4 letters
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters2
Total2
Σ
4 letters18
5 letters8
6 letters4
7+ letters6
Total36

Approximate rank thresholds for this hive:

  • Good Start: 0 pts
  • Moving Up: 3 pts
  • Good: 7 pts
  • Solid: 11 pts
  • Nice: 20 pts
  • Great: 34 pts
  • Amazing: 54 pts
  • Genius: 94 pts
  • Queen Bee: 134 pts

Check your current score in the NYT game to see how close you are to each rank.

Reveal full answer list (spoiler)

Full answer list for today's hive (alphabetical):

  • AFAR
    4
    1
    No
  • AFFAIR
    6
    6
    No
  • AFRO
    4
    1
    No
  • AIRFLOW
    7
    14
    Yes
  • AIRFOIL
    7
    7
    No
  • ARIA
    4
    1
    No
  • ARIL
    4
    1
    No
  • ARROW
    5
    5
    No
  • FAIR
    4
    1
    No
  • FARRO
    5
    5
    No
  • FARROW
    6
    6
    No
  • FLAIR
    5
    5
    No
  • FLOOR
    5
    5
    No
  • FLORA
    5
    5
    No
  • FLORAL
    6
    6
    No
  • FOOFARAW
    8
    8
    No
  • FORA
    4
    1
    No
  • FRAIL
    5
    5
    No
  • FRIAR
    5
    5
    No
  • FRILL
    5
    5
    No
  • LAIR
    4
    1
    No
  • LIAR
    4
    1
    No
  • LIRA
    4
    1
    No
  • ORAL
    4
    1
    No
  • RAFFIA
    6
    6
    No
  • RAIL
    4
    1
    No
  • RIAL
    4
    1
    No
  • RIFF
    4
    1
    No
  • RIFFRAFF
    8
    8
    No
  • RILL
    4
    1
    No
  • ROAR
    4
    1
    No
  • ROIL
    4
    1
    No
  • ROLL
    4
    1
    No
  • ROOF
    4
    1
    No
  • WALLAROO
    8
    8
    No
  • WARRIOR
    7
    7
    No

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