Strands NYT
Find themed words on a 6x8 letter grid, connect them, and discover the spangram that links opposite sides of the board in this exciting word puzzle game from NYT!
Free Online Play Strands NYT
Find themed words on a 6x8 letter grid, connect them, and discover the spangram that links opposite sides of the board.
Find Themed Words
Find themed words in a 6x8 grid. Connect letters horizontally, vertically, or diagonally—even change direction mid-word!
Uncover the Spangram
Discover the special spangram that connects opposite sides of the board and reveals the puzzle theme. Highlighted in yellow when found!
Strategic Hints
Use hints when stuck. The system highlights letters of a theme word, helping you find answers without revealing the complete solution.
Welcome to Strands NYT
Strands NYT is an innovative word puzzle game developed by the New York Times Games team. It features a 6x8 grid of letters where you'll search for words based on a common theme, creating an engaging and strategic word-finding experience.
With its unique spangram mechanic that connects opposite sides of the board, Strands offers a fresh twist on traditional word search puzzles. The game is accessible to everyone yet contains strategic depth, keeping you engaged with the thrill of discovering each themed word.
Strands NYT is perfect for players of all ages who enjoy word games, puzzle-solving, and the satisfaction of finding connections between words in a forgiving environment with no penalties for mistakes!
Strands NYT Key Features
Discover what makes Strands NYT an addictive and strategic word puzzle game
Word Search Puzzle
Find themed words on a 6x8 grid by connecting letters in any direction—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally
Spangram Challenge
Discover the special spangram word that connects two opposite sides of the board and reveals the theme that links all words
Strategic Hints
Earn hints by finding non-themed words, helping you progress through challenging puzzles without penalties
Daily Challenges
Enjoy a fresh new puzzle every day with unique themes, keeping the gameplay experience engaging and varied
How To Play Strands NYT
Finding Words
Strands NYT features a 6x8 letter grid with a daily theme. Connect adjacent letters in any direction to find theme-related words. Change directions mid-word if needed! Desktop: click and drag; Mobile: tap and drag. Found theme words highlight in blue.
Hints & Non-Theme Words
Stuck in Strands NYT? Find three non-theme words to earn a hint that highlights letters of a theme word. You'll still need to connect these letters correctly. No penalties for wrong guesses—non-theme words actually help you progress! This forgiving system ensures frustration-free puzzling.
The Spangram & Completion
In Strands NYT, the spangram is key—it summarizes the theme and connects opposite sides of the grid. It highlights in yellow when found. Complete the puzzle by finding all theme words and the spangram, covering every letter without overlap. New puzzles arrive daily at midnight. Share your results and hint count with friends!
Strands NYT Gameplay
Watch how to play Strands NYT and learn the best strategies to find theme words and spangrams!
What Players Say About Strands NYT
See what our community thinks about their Strands NYT experience. Join thousands of word puzzle enthusiasts today!
WordExplorer
Strands NYT is so addictive! Finding the spangram is satisfying. My daily brain workout now.
2 hours ago
PuzzleMaster
Perfect brain teaser! Challenging but never frustrating. Love the strategic hint system.
1 day ago
WordWhiz
Runs great on my laptop. No time pressure means I can play at my own pace. Perfect for work breaks!
3 days ago
LetterWizard
Strands NYT is educational too! My kids are building vocabulary while having fun finding theme words.
1 week ago
ThemeHunter
Great balance of challenge and fun. Works for quick or long sessions. Daily themes keep it fresh!
2 weeks ago
PuzzleSeeker
Strands NYT is so peaceful compared to other games. No timers or penalties. Much better than regular word searches!
1 month ago
Frequently Asked Questions About Strands NYT
Discover answers to common questions about Strands NYT and learn how to improve your skills in this engaging word puzzle game.
Strands is a dynamic word search puzzle game developed by the New York Times Games team. It features a 6-by-8 grid of letters where players find words based on a common theme, revealed through a special word called a spangram that connects two opposite sides of the board.
To play, connect letters vertically, horizontally, or diagonally to form words related to the day's theme. You can change directions mid-word as long as the letters are adjacent. The goal is to find all theme words and the spangram, which must touch two opposite sides of the board.
Yes, Strands NYT is completely free to play on our website. You don't need to pay anything or create an account to enjoy the full game experience. Just visit our site and start playing immediately.
Strands NYT stands out with its theme-based approach and the spangram mechanic. Unlike traditional word searches with a word list, Strands challenges you to discover words based on a theme. The ability to change directions mid-word and the strategic use of hints adds unique gameplay elements not found in typical word search puzzles.
If you find three valid words that aren't part of the theme, you'll unlock a hint. This will highlight the letters of one theme word on the grid, helping you progress. The highlighted word remains indicated until you correctly identify it.
No, there's no penalty for incorrect guesses in Strands NYT. In fact, finding valid non-theme words actually helps you earn hints that can assist you in discovering the theme words and spangram.
If you're stuck, try looking for words that might relate to the daily theme. Focus on finding three valid non-theme words to earn a hint. The hint will highlight one of the theme words, giving you a better understanding of what to look for. Also, try to identify the spangram, as it embodies the theme and can help you discover other theme words.