◆ The New York Times
Strands Hints, Answers & Strategy Guide
Find themed words in a 6×8 letter grid.
Strands is the New York Times' themed word search: a grid of 6 columns by 8 rows hiding a set of theme words plus one "spangram" that stretches across the board and captures the theme. Every letter is used exactly once, and a fresh puzzle drops daily. TECHi keeps spoiler-safe hints and today's spangram and answers, yesterday's solution, and an evergreen guide to how it works.
Sunday, August 2, 2026
Today
Tuesday
August 4, 2026
Check the date before opening a reveal. Today’s page is for active solving; yesterday’s page is for catching up without mixing spoilers.
◆ Three pages, one game
Pick your moment.
Open today’s hints when you are solving now, jump to yesterday if you missed a day, or use the guide when you want rules and strategy.
- Today01
Strands Daily Puzzle: August 2, 2026
Hints, then the answer, then the why. In that order.
Sunday, August 2, 2026
Open today's hints → - Yesterday02
Strands Yesterday: August 1, 2026
In case you missed it, yesterday's full solve.
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Open yesterday → - Tutorial03
How to Play Strands
The full ruleset and our best opening tips.
Open guide →
Catching up? Here are the most recent solutions.
| Date | Puzzle | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Aug 1, 2026 | Strands #881 | GETREAL — ABSURD, LAUGHABLE, LUDICROUS, PREPOSTEROUS, SILLY |
| Fri, Jul 31, 2026 | Strands #880 | LEOTHELION — BOLD, BOSSY, CHARMING, DRAMATIC, GENEROUS, LOYAL |
| Thu, Jul 30, 2026 | Strands #879 | ARTISANS — COOPER, JOINER, MASON, POTTER, SMITH, TANNER, WEAVER |
◆ Strategy
How to Win at Strands
Strands is easiest when you treat the spangram as the anchor. Find small theme words first, then use their shape to locate the long phrase.
Use the theme literally
The clue usually points to the answer family. List possible theme words before scanning the grid.
Hunt edges and corners
Long answers often bend around the board. Check edge letters when a theme word seems to stop too early.
Save hints for dead ends
A hint is most valuable after you have narrowed the theme, because one revealed word can unlock the spangram.
◆ FAQ
Strands questions, answered
- What is a Strands spangram?
- The spangram is the long theme answer that spans the board and ties the other words together.
- Should I solve the spangram first?
- Usually no. Shorter theme words often reveal the direction and shape of the spangram.