If you’ve seen friends posting rows of blue dots and yellow squares online, they’re probably talking about Strands, the New York Times’ daily word puzzle. It looks like a simple word search at first glance. It isn’t. Strands hides a clever theme inside a grid of letters, and figuring that theme out is half the fun.
This guide walks you through exactly what Strands is, how the game works, and how to play your first puzzle without getting stuck.
What Is Strands?
Strands is a daily puzzle game made by The New York Times. It launched in 2024 alongside other NYT favorites like Wordle, Connections, and Spelling Bee.
Each puzzle gives you a grid of letters, usually 6 columns by 8 rows. Hidden inside that grid are several words that all connect to one secret theme. Your job is to find every themed word, plus one special word called the spangram, which sums up the day’s theme in a single term.
Unlike a normal word search, the words in Strands aren’t sitting in neat straight lines. They twist and turn through the grid, which is exactly what makes the game interesting.
The Basic Rules
Before you jump in, here’s what you need to know:
- The grid. Every puzzle uses the same 6×8 layout of letters.
- The theme clue. You get a short hint at the top of the page. It tells you the category, but it’s often written to be a little tricky or punny.
- Theme words. These are the hidden words connected to the day’s theme. Find them all to finish the puzzle.
- The spangram. This is the one word or phrase that touches two opposite sides of the grid and captures the whole theme. It’s highlighted in yellow once you find it.
- Non-theme words. You can also spell out real words that have nothing to do with the theme. These don’t count toward finishing the puzzle, but they’re not wasted, since finding enough of them unlocks a hint.
How to Play Strands, Step by Step
- Read the clue. Take a second to think about what it might mean. Strands clues are often wordplay, so don’t take them too literally.
- Trace a word. Click and drag (or tap letter by letter on mobile) to connect letters in any direction: up, down, sideways, or diagonally. Letters just need to touch each other.
- Submit the word. Once you’ve traced a real word, it locks in automatically.
- Watch the colors. A theme word lights up blue. The spangram lights up yellow. Anything else you spell that isn’t part of the puzzle just flashes and disappears, though it still counts toward unlocking a hint.
- Keep going. Repeat until every theme word and the spangram are found. That’s a solved puzzle.
Using Hints the Smart Way
Stuck? Strands has a built-in hint system. Find three non-theme words (real words unrelated to the puzzle) and a hint becomes available. Tap it, and the game reveals the outline of one theme word without telling you what it is.
Hints are useful, but they’re also tracked. If you like keeping a clean streak, save hints for when you’re genuinely stuck rather than using them right away.
Tips for Beginners
- Start with the clue, not the grid. Guessing the theme first makes it much easier to spot words once you start scanning letters.
- Look for the spangram early. Since it touches two opposite sides of the board, scanning the edges can give you a head start.
- Try common prefixes and suffixes. Letters like “ING,” “ED,” or “RE” often mark the start or end of a hidden word.
- Don’t ignore odd letter clusters. Uncommon letters like Q, X, or Z are strong clues that a specific word is nearby.
- Play daily. Like most word games, Strands gets easier to read the more familiar you get with how the puzzle setters think.
Final Thoughts
Strands rewards patience more than speed. Read the clue carefully, take your time scanning the grid, and don’t be afraid to use a hint when you’re stuck. Once you get the hang of spotting the theme early, the whole puzzle starts to click into place a lot faster.
Ready to try today’s puzzle? Check back daily for fresh hints and answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Strands free to play?
Yes, Strands is free to play through the NYT Games app or website, even without a subscription.
What is a spangram?
The spangram is the special theme word that stretches from one side of the grid to the other and sums up the day’s puzzle theme.
Can words overlap in Strands?
No, each letter can only be used once per word, and letters used in one word aren’t reused in another.
How many hints can I use?
There’s no fixed limit. You unlock a new hint each time you spell three non-theme words.
