A new NYT Strands puzzle is released at midnight each day, meaning players in different time zones may be tackling yesterday's game while others are on today's. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle, you can find it here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, January 17 (game #685).
Strands is the latest word game from the NYT, following popular titles like Wordle and Connections. While it’s enjoyable, it can also be challenging, so here are some hints to help you out.
For more word-based fun, check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, as well as Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.
SPOILER WARNING: Below are the details for today's NYT Strands, so proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers.
NYT Strands today (game #686) - hint #1 - today's theme
What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?
• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Soft skills
NYT Strands today (game #686) - hint #2 - clue words
Use any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system:
- TEXT
- EXTRA
- VEIL
- HOPE
- PACT
- MARKET
NYT Strands today (game #686) - hint #3 - spangram letters
How many letters are in today's spangram?
• The spangram consists of 10 letters.
NYT Strands today (game #686) - hint #4 - spangram position
What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?
First side: left, 3rd row
Last side: right, 7th row
Now, if you want to see the answers, scroll down at your own risk!
NYT Strands today (game #686) - the answers
The answers to today's Strands, game #686, are:
- QUILT
- WEAVE
- CROCHET
- KNIT
- EMBROIDER
- APPLIQUE
- SPANGRAM: TEXTILEART
- My rating: Easy
- My score: Perfect
This puzzle was straightforward for me once I found the first word. The theme 'Soft skills' initially left me puzzled, but the letters Q and X provided clear starting points that helped me navigate to the solution. The only tricky word was APPLIQUE, but it was manageable.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, January 17, game #685)
- DRAT
- CURSES
- FIDDLESTICKS
- TARNATION
- PHOOEY
- SPANGRAM: FOILEDAGAIN
What is NYT Strands?
Strands is the NYT's word game that has gained popularity alongside Wordle and Connections. It has been a part of the NYT games lineup for a year and can be played on the NYT Games site on both desktop and mobile. For tips on how to play, check out my guide to NYT Strands.