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◆ 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.

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Jump straight to today's (November 4, 2026) hintsCheck yesterday

◆ 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.

Catching up? Here are the most recent solutions.

Recent Strands answers
DatePuzzleAnswer
Tue, Nov 3, 2026Strands #975Theme words: BALLADEER, CHORISTER, CROONER, SINGER, VOCALIST. Spangram: BELTITOUT.
Mon, Nov 2, 2026Strands #974Theme words: CLIFF, GLACIER, PEAK, RIDGE, SADDLE, SNOW, SUMMIT. Spangram: MOUNTAINTOP.
Sun, Nov 1, 2026Strands #973Theme words: CATNAP, DOZE, DROWSE, SIESTA, SLEEP, SLUMBER, SNOOZE. Spangram: ZZZZZZZZ.
Sat, Oct 31, 2026Strands #972Theme words: APPLE, CANDY, FANGS, RING, STICKER, TOOTHBRUSH. Spangram: TRICKORTREAT.
Fri, Oct 30, 2026Strands #971Theme words: CURRENT, ELECTRICITY, ENERGY, JUICE, POWER, SPARK. Spangram: PLUGGEDIN.
Thu, Oct 29, 2026Strands #970Theme words: BLOOD, BUBBLE, FIRE, LIZARD, NEWT, SNAKE, TONGUE, WORM. Spangram: CAULDRON.
Wed, Oct 28, 2026Strands #969Theme words: BURLESQUE, FARCE, IMPROV, SKETCH, SLAPSTICK. Spangram: FUNNYBUSINESS.
Tue, Oct 27, 2026Strands #968Theme words: ANTS, COCKROACHES, MICE, RATS, TERMITES, TICKS. Spangram: EXTERMINATOR.
Mon, Oct 26, 2026Strands #967Theme words: ENTERTAIN, HOST, INVITE, MEET, RECEIVE, WELCOME. Spangram: HOSPITALITY.
Sun, Oct 25, 2026Strands #966Theme words: FRAMEWORK, SCAFFOLDING, SKELETON, STRUCTURE. Spangram: FOUNDATIONS.
Sat, Oct 24, 2026Strands #965Theme words: BASKET, DETERGENT, DRYER, IRON, RACK, SINK, WASHER. Spangram: LAUNDRYDAY.
Fri, Oct 23, 2026Strands #964Theme words: EAVESDROPPING, INQUISITIVE, NOSY, PRYING, SNOOPY. Spangram: BUSYBODY.
Thu, Oct 22, 2026Strands #963Theme words: ANCESTORS, BLOOD, BRETHREN, KINFOLK, OFFSPRING. Spangram: FAMILYTIES.
Wed, Oct 21, 2026Strands #962Theme words: BOXES, DECORATIONS, LUGGAGE, TRUNKS, YEARBOOKS. Spangram: INTHEATTIC.
Tue, Oct 20, 2026Strands #961Theme words: CHASE, CIRCLE, GAME, PLAYGROUND, SELECT, WALK. Spangram: DUCKDUCKGOOSE.
Mon, Oct 19, 2026Strands #960Theme words: DEITY, DRYAD, FATES, FURIES, MUSES, NYMPH, SATYR. Spangram: MYTHOLOGICAL.
Sun, Oct 18, 2026Strands #959Theme words: HEADPHONES, SNEAKERS, SUNGLASSES, VEST, WATCH. Spangram: RUNNINGGEAR.
Sat, Oct 17, 2026Strands #958Theme words: BABBLE, BLUSH, FIDGET, GIGGLE, PERSPIRE, STUMBLE. Spangram: FALLINLOVE.
Fri, Oct 16, 2026Strands #957Theme words: AMOEBA, ATOM, FOLLICLE, MITE, MOLECULE, PINPOINT. Spangram: SMALLWORLD.
Thu, Oct 15, 2026Strands #956Theme words: BEACON, DOME, GALLERY, LANTERN, STAIRCASE, TOWER. Spangram: LIGHTHOUSE.
Wed, Oct 14, 2026Strands #955Theme words: BEAST, BEAUTY, FROG, HARE, PRINCESS, TORTOISE. Spangram: ONCEUPONATIME.
Tue, Oct 13, 2026Strands #954Theme words: APPALL, CHAGRIN, EMBARRASS, MORTIFY, NONPLUS. Spangram: CRINGEWORTHY.
Mon, Oct 12, 2026Strands #953Theme words: DIALECT, JARGON, LINGO, PARLANCE, VERNACULAR. Spangram: TURNOFPHRASE.
Sun, Oct 11, 2026Strands #952Theme words: ICEBOX, INKWELL, PAGER, TELEGRAM, TYPEWRITER. Spangram: OLDFASHIONED.
Sat, Oct 10, 2026Strands #951Theme words: GRENADINE, HONEY, MOLASSES, SYRUP, TREACLE. Spangram: STICKYANDSWEET.
Fri, Oct 9, 2026Strands #950Theme words: BALDERDASH, DRIVEL, HOOEY, NONSENSE, RUBBISH. Spangram: UNBELIEVABLE.
Thu, Oct 8, 2026Strands #949Theme words: ACCLAIM, CELEBRITY, EMINENCE, FAME, RENOWN, REPUTE. Spangram: LUMINARY.
Wed, Oct 7, 2026Strands #948Theme words: BARBIE, BUBBLEGUM, FLAMINGO, QUARTZ, SHOCKING. Spangram: TICKLEDPINK.
Tue, Oct 6, 2026Strands #947Theme words: BACKPEDAL, FLIP, OVERTURN, REVERSE, UNDO. Spangram: THEOLDSWITCHEROO.
Mon, Oct 5, 2026Strands #946Theme words: ALAS, BOOHOO, BUMMER, SORRY, SUCKS, UNFORTUNATE. Spangram: SADTROMBONE.

◆ 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.

More Daily Puzzles

Explore our other games and check the date shown on each edition.