Strands NYT
Embark on Strands, the New York Times Games team's latest puzzle venture, where word discovery turns into art. Journey across a 6-by-8 letter grid to find thematically linked, masterfully intertwined words. Guided by a unique spangram that unveils the connecting theme, this game challenges you to link letters in all directions—vertically, horizontally, diagonally, and beyond—to spell out your triumph, leaving the word bank behind.


How to Play Strands
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Start the Game
Open Strands to reveal a 6-by-8 letter grid filled with letters. Each day presents a new puzzle for you to solve.
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Understand the Theme
Identify the theme of the day’s puzzle. Themes can range from categories like animals, countries, to anything specific. This theme guides which words you’ll need to find on the board.
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Find Words
Begin linking letters together to form words related to the theme. You can connect letters vertically, horizontally, diagonally, and in twisting paths. There’s no set starting point; you can begin from any letter on the grid.
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Use the Spangram
Look for the spangram, a special word that connects two opposite sides of the board and is central to unraveling the theme. This word can help guide your discoveries and strategy for finding other words.
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Score Points and Earn Stars
Each word you correctly find and form adds points to your score. The goal is to achieve the highest score possible, aiming for a 5-star rating by efficiently finding all themed words within the puzzle. Keep linking words until you’ve fully explored the theme and maximized your score.

FAQ for Strands NYT Game
About Strands NYT
Strands, introduced by the New York Times, is an innovative word puzzle game that captivates players with its unique blend of vocabulary challenges and thematic exploration. Each puzzle presents a 6-by-8 grid filled with letters that players must navigate to uncover words connected by a common theme. Unlike traditional word puzzles, Strands encourages players to think creatively and strategically, as words can be formed in multiple directions, not just linearly. The game's daily themes keep the content fresh and engaging, allowing players to expand their vocabulary and thematic knowledge with each new challenge.
One of the standout features of Strands is its use of a spangram, a special word that connects two opposite sides of the board and plays a pivotal role in revealing the puzzle's theme. This element adds an extra layer of complexity and satisfaction to the game, as discovering the spangram not only aids in unraveling the theme but also in identifying the interconnected words across the grid. With its mix of thoughtful design, challenging gameplay, and educational benefits, Strands has quickly become a favorite among word game enthusiasts and those looking to sharpen their linguistic skills in a fun and engaging way.