What Strands Is#
NYT Strands hides theme words across a letter grid. They bend through adjacent cells and use every letter once without overlapping.
The spangram describes the theme and connects opposite sides of the board. Finding it can help organize the remaining space.
How to Play#
Trace words suggested by the theme clue. Valid non-theme words can earn hints, so a useful find may still help even when it is not one of the answers.
What to Try Next#
Connections also rewards finding a shared idea among words. Squaredle offers a broader word search without the same theme-and-spangram structure.
Our rating:
Frequently Asked Questions#
What is a spangram?
The one answer in each Strands puzzle that describes the day's theme and touches two opposite edges of the board. It can be a word or a short phrase, and it highlights in yellow when found.
Is Strands free to play?
Check the New York Times game page for current access to the daily puzzle, archives, and other features.
Who is this game for?
Connections also rewards finding a shared idea among words. Squaredle offers a broader word search without the same theme-and-spangram structure.
More Games Like NYT Strands#
Wordle without the once-a-day limit: pick any word length from four to eleven letters and play as many rounds as you like.
No colored tiles: each guess only narrows where the target sits alphabetically between your words.
Six words baked into a waffle-shaped grid arrive pre-scrambled; you have 15 swaps to set them all straight, and five stars means a perfect solve.
Or browse all of them on our games like Wordle directory. Filter by category to find a different kind of puzzle.
Try an Equation Puzzle
Play today's NerdleBuddy puzzle, or use the Classic Nerdle solver to choose a next guess from your tile feedback.