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Strands

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What is Strands?

A themed word search from the New York Times. Find the theme words hidden in a letter grid, plus the 'spangram' that spells out the theme and stretches from one side of the board to the other.

Strands is a free daily word game. Everyone gets the same puzzle each day, so it's easy to compare results with friends.

How to play Strands

  1. Read today's theme clue, then find theme words in the letter grid by connecting adjacent letters in any direction, including diagonally.
  2. Look for the spangram: a word or phrase that describes the theme and touches two opposite sides of the board.
  3. Theme words fill the board completely without overlapping. Find them all to win.

Strands tips

  • Finding non-theme words of four or more letters earns you hints. Every three unlocks one.
  • Corner and edge letters have few neighbors, which makes them great starting points.
  • Finding the spangram early makes the remaining theme words much easier to spot.

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    Strands FAQ

    How do I play Strands?

    Read today's theme clue, then find theme words in the letter grid by connecting adjacent letters in any direction, including diagonally. Look for the spangram: a word or phrase that describes the theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. Theme words fill the board completely without overlapping. Find them all to win.

    Where can I play Strands?

    Strands is played on its official site, nytimes.com. Its creators don't allow it to be embedded on other websites, so use the Play button to open it in a new tab.

    Is Strands a daily game?

    Yes. Strands has a new puzzle every day, and everyone gets the same one, so you can compare results with friends. Most daily games reset at midnight, either in your time zone or the creator's.

    What games are like Strands?

    If you enjoy Strands, try Connections, Contexto, Quordle, Spelling Bee, Waffle. Browse all word games for more.

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    Make as many words as you can from seven letters arranged in a honeycomb. Every word must use the center letter, and finding a pangram that uses all seven earns bonus points on your way to Queen Bee.

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    The game that started it all. Guess the hidden five-letter word in six tries, with green, yellow and gray tiles telling you which letters are right, misplaced or not in the word at all.

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