Spelling Bee hints & answers: Sep 2, 2026 (Puzzle #20917)

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints and full answers for the NYT Spelling Bee hive published on Sep 2, 2026 (2026-09-02 · Puzzle #20917).

Hive overview

This hive centers on F with six outer letters. It has 31 stored words, 2 pangrams, and about 138 available points before rank thresholds.

A
I
L
F
N
P
T
Show structure hint

This hive has 31 playable words worth about 138 points in total. Aim to unlock the pangram and a few long words early to get ahead of the ranking curve.

There are 2 pangrams hidden in this hive.

Show word-count hints

Word count matrix (starting letter × length):

F
4 letters9
5 letters5
6 letters3
7+ letters2
Total19
A
4 letters
5 letters
6 letters1
7+ letters2
Total3
I
4 letters
5 letters
6 letters2
7+ letters
Total2
L
4 letters1
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters
Total1
N
4 letters1
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters
Total1
P
4 letters1
5 letters1
6 letters
7+ letters2
Total4
T
4 letters1
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters
Total1
Σ
4 letters13
5 letters6
6 letters6
7+ letters6
Total31

Approximate rank thresholds for this hive:

  • Good Start: 0 pts
  • Moving Up: 3 pts
  • Good: 7 pts
  • Solid: 11 pts
  • Nice: 21 pts
  • Great: 35 pts
  • Amazing: 55 pts
  • Genius: 97 pts
  • Queen Bee: 138 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):

  • AFFIANT
    7
    7
    No
  • ALFALFA
    7
    7
    No
  • ANTIFA
    6
    6
    No
  • FAIL
    4
    1
    No
  • FAINT
    5
    5
    No
  • FALL
    4
    1
    No
  • FANTAIL
    7
    7
    No
  • FATAL
    5
    5
    No
  • FIAT
    4
    1
    No
  • FILIAL
    6
    6
    No
  • FILL
    4
    1
    No
  • FILLIP
    6
    6
    No
  • FINAL
    5
    5
    No
  • FINIAL
    6
    6
    No
  • FLAIL
    5
    5
    No
  • FLAN
    4
    1
    No
  • FLAP
    4
    1
    No
  • FLAT
    4
    1
    No
  • FLINT
    5
    5
    No
  • FLIP
    4
    1
    No
  • FLIPPANT
    8
    15
    Yes
  • FLIT
    4
    1
    No
  • INFANT
    6
    6
    No
  • INFILL
    6
    6
    No
  • LIFT
    4
    1
    No
  • NAIF
    4
    1
    No
  • PFFT
    4
    1
    No
  • PILAF
    5
    5
    No
  • PITFALL
    7
    7
    No
  • PLAINTIFF
    9
    16
    Yes
  • TIFF
    4
    1
    No

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