Connections Guide
Hardest NYT Connections Puzzles: The Toughest Grids Ranked
A ranked list of the most difficult Connections puzzles ever published, with analysis of what made each one brutal and how to solve them.
Overview
Some Connections puzzles are designed to destroy streaks. This page ranks the hardest grids based on community completion rates and analyzes the tricks that tripped up even veteran solvers.
Key Strategies
- Community-sourced difficulty rankings
- Analysis of trap mechanics in each puzzle
- Practice links for each hard puzzle
Difficulty tracking
Quick Facts
3k / mo
Search volume
50+
Puzzles analyzed
62%
Avg. fail rate (hard)
The streak-killers
Certain puzzles have become infamous for ending long streaks. We track community reports and social media reactions to identify which grids caused the most frustration.
Common hard-puzzle patterns
Hard puzzles often share traits: multiple overlapping themes, obscure purple categories, or words with double meanings. Understanding these patterns helps you prepare.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Connections puzzle was the hardest?
While difficulty is subjective, puzzles with abstract purple categories and multiple red herrings consistently rank as the toughest based on community feedback.
Can I practice hard puzzles?
Yes! Use our archive to replay any historical puzzle. We tag difficulty levels so you can specifically train on challenging grids.
Ready to Play?
Get today's hints, check your answers, or explore our archive of past puzzles.