Spelling Bee hints & answers: Sep 16, 2026 (Puzzle #20283)

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints and full answers for the NYT Spelling Bee hive published on Sep 16, 2026 (2026-09-16 · Puzzle #20283).

Hive overview

This hive centers on P with six outer letters. It has 55 stored words, 1 pangram, and about 248 available points before rank thresholds.

D
E
I
P
N
O
W
Show structure hint

This hive has 55 playable words worth about 248 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):

P
4 letters12
5 letters4
6 letters12
7+ letters3
Total31
D
4 letters2
5 letters1
6 letters3
7+ letters2
Total8
E
4 letters1
5 letters1
6 letters
7+ letters
Total2
I
4 letters
5 letters
6 letters
7+ letters
Total0
N
4 letters1
5 letters
6 letters1
7+ letters1
Total3
O
4 letters1
5 letters1
6 letters3
7+ letters1
Total6
W
4 letters2
5 letters1
6 letters1
7+ letters1
Total5
Σ
4 letters19
5 letters8
6 letters20
7+ letters8
Total55

Approximate rank thresholds for this hive:

  • Good Start: 0 pts
  • Moving Up: 5 pts
  • Good: 12 pts
  • Solid: 20 pts
  • Nice: 37 pts
  • Great: 62 pts
  • Amazing: 99 pts
  • Genius: 174 pts
  • Queen Bee: 248 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):

  • DEEP
    4
    1
    No
  • DEEPEN
    6
    6
    No
  • DEEPENED
    8
    8
    No
  • DEPEND
    6
    6
    No
  • DEPENDED
    8
    8
    No
  • DIPPED
    6
    6
    No
  • DOPE
    4
    1
    No
  • DOPED
    5
    5
    No
  • EPEE
    4
    1
    No
  • EPODE
    5
    5
    No
  • NINEPIN
    7
    7
    No
  • NIPPED
    6
    6
    No
  • NOPE
    4
    1
    No
  • OPEN
    4
    1
    No
  • OPENED
    6
    6
    No
  • OPINE
    5
    5
    No
  • OPINED
    6
    6
    No
  • OPINION
    7
    7
    No
  • OPIOID
    6
    6
    No
  • PEED
    4
    1
    No
  • PEEN
    4
    1
    No
  • PEEP
    4
    1
    No
  • PEEPED
    6
    6
    No
  • PEEWEE
    6
    6
    No
  • PEND
    4
    1
    No
  • PENDED
    6
    6
    No
  • PENNE
    5
    5
    No
  • PENNED
    6
    6
    No
  • PEON
    4
    1
    No
  • PEPPED
    6
    6
    No
  • PEWEE
    5
    5
    No
  • PIED
    4
    1
    No
  • PINE
    4
    1
    No
  • PINED
    5
    5
    No
  • PINEWOOD
    8
    15
    Yes
  • PINION
    6
    6
    No
  • PINIONED
    8
    8
    No
  • PINNED
    6
    6
    No
  • PINNIPED
    8
    8
    No
  • PIPE
    4
    1
    No
  • PIPED
    5
    5
    No
  • PIPPIN
    6
    6
    No
  • POND
    4
    1
    No
  • PONE
    4
    1
    No
  • PONIED
    6
    6
    No
  • POOP
    4
    1
    No
  • POOPED
    6
    6
    No
  • POPE
    4
    1
    No
  • POPPED
    6
    6
    No
  • POWWOW
    6
    6
    No
  • WEEP
    4
    1
    No
  • WEEPIE
    6
    6
    No
  • WINDPIPE
    8
    8
    No
  • WIPE
    4
    1
    No
  • WIPED
    5
    5
    No

Looking for today's puzzle instead? Head back to Today's Spelling Bee hints, browse the Spelling Bee archive, or use the word finder and pangram helper.

Move between Spelling Bee dates

Jump back to today, open the archive, or step to the next stored hive when a nearby date is available.