Spelling Bee Guide
How to Reach Genius in Spelling Bee: Points and Strategy
Learn how many points you need for Genius rank in NYT Spelling Bee, plus strategies to reach it faster every day.
Overview
Genius is the goal for most Spelling Bee players—the rank that proves you've mastered the day's puzzle. Here's how to reach it consistently.
Key Strategies
- How Genius points are calculated
- Today's Genius threshold
- Strategies for faster Genius
Genius stats
Quick Facts
6k / mo
Search volume
~70%
% of total points
25-40
Avg. words needed
How Genius is calculated
Genius requires approximately 70% of the puzzle's total possible points. Since point totals vary daily based on available words, so does the Genius threshold.
Today's Genius target
We calculate and display today's exact Genius point threshold, plus how many points remain if you're tracking your progress.
Efficient Genius strategies
Focus on longer words (more points per find), locate the pangram early (7 bonus points), and use the two-letter hint list to find words you're missing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points for Genius in Spelling Bee?
It varies daily based on total possible points. Check today's threshold above—it's typically around 70% of the maximum score.
What rank comes after Genius?
Queen Bee is the highest rank, requiring every single valid word. It's significantly harder than Genius and often takes hours of dedicated hunting.
Ready to Play?
Get today's hints, check your answers, or explore our archive of past puzzles.