Connections Guide
NYT Connections Tips: Expert Strategy to Win Every Day
Master NYT Connections with proven strategies. Learn to spot traps, identify color patterns, and protect your streak with expert tips.
Overview
Whether you're new to Connections or looking to improve your win rate, this guide covers everything from basic category recognition to advanced purple-group strategies that separate casual players from daily winners.
Key Strategies
- Start with obvious groups, save guesses for purple
- Use the shuffle button to spot new patterns
- Watch for red herring five-word categories
Strategy impact
Quick Facts
8k / mo
Search volume
+40%
Win rate improvement
Evergreen
Content type
The three-guess rule
Never burn all four guesses on uncertain categories. Save at least one guess for process of elimination on the hardest group. This single habit improves win rates dramatically.
Reading the purple group
Purple categories often rely on wordplay, not meaning. Look for anagrams, homophones, phrases with blanks, or words that share a hidden prefix/suffix. When stuck, ignore word meanings entirely.
Using 'One Away' feedback
When you see 'One Away,' pause immediately. Three of your four words are correct. Mentally swap each word with alternatives before guessing again.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best strategy for Connections?
Start with the most obvious category, use shuffle liberally, and never guess when you're unsure. Save guesses for the purple group, which often requires lateral thinking.
How do I spot trap words?
Look for words that could fit multiple categories. The NYT intentionally includes 5+ words that seem to share a theme—only 4 are correct. When a group looks too easy, it's probably a trap.
Ready to Play?
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