NYT Spelling Bee Answers — May 17, 2026
All words, pangrams, center letter & Genius score
Below are all 54 answers to the New York Times Spelling Bee for May 17, 2026 (Sunday). The honeycomb shows the seven letters with the required L center letter; pangrams are highlighted. Genius is 148 points.
Words54
Max Points212
Pangrams2
Genius148
Pangrams: CARTLOAD, DOCTORAL
All answers, grouped by length
4letter answers25 words
ALTOCALLCLADCLODCLOTCOALCOLACOLDCOLTCOOLDOLLDOLTLARDLOADLOCOLOLLLOOTLORDORALROLLTALCTALLTOLDTOLLTOOL
5letter answers15 words
ALLOTALTARATOLLCALLACAROLCOLORCORALDOLORDROLLDROOLLOCALLOTTOOCTALTOTALTROLL
6letter answers5 words
AORTALCLOACACOLLARCORRALDOLLAR
7letter answers5 words
CARLOADCATCALLCOLLARDCOROLLALOCATOR
8letter answers3 words
CALLALOOCARTLOADDOCTORAL
9letter answers1 word
ALLOCATOR
How the Spelling Bee works
The New York Times Spelling Bee gives you seven letters arranged in a honeycomb, with one required center letter. Build as many words as you can — every word must be at least four letters long and must use the center letter, and letters can be reused. Find a word that uses all seven letters and you've got a pangram, worth 7 bonus points. Reach the Genius rank by scoring 70% of the day's maximum.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many answers are in the May 17, 2026 Spelling Bee?
There are 54 valid answers worth 212 points, including 2 pangrams. Genius requires 148 points.
What is the pangram?
The pangrams are CARTLOAD, DOCTORAL. Pangrams use all seven letters and earn 7 bonus points.
What is the center letter?
The required center letter is L. Every valid answer must contain it.
How does scoring work?
4-letter words score 1 point; longer words score 1 point per letter; pangrams add 7 bonus points. Genius is 70% of the maximum score.
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