Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee

Students compete starting from school-level bees progressing through regional competitions to reach the national finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, managed by The E.W. Scripps Company. The event is the largest and most prestigious U.S. spelling competition.

The Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee, now known as the Scripps National Spelling Bee, is an annual, prestigious spelling competition for students up to eighth grade. It is organized on a not-for-profit basis by The E.W. Scripps Company. Since 1925, it has become the largest and longest-running educational program in the United States, promoting vocabulary expansion, academic excellence, and lifelong curiosity about words among children. The national finals draw champion spellers from all U.S. states, territories, and select international regions, culminating each year near Washington, D.C.

Competition Details

Judging Criteria

Contestants spell words aloud in rounds administered by official judges. Each contestant is given one word per turn. Correct spelling allows advancement; misspelling results in elimination. The rounds continue progressively with increasingly difficult words until only one contestant remains. In the event of all remaining contestants correctly spelling all available words, co-champions may be declared. Age and eligibility requirements are strictly enforced.