Strands Guide
Last reviewed: February 16, 2026NYT Strands Strategy Guide: Find Words and Spangrams Faster
A complete Strands strategy guide covering word-finding techniques, spangram identification, hint token management, and theme interpretation for the NYT word search puzzle.
The best Strands strategy is to find the spangram first because it reveals the theme and makes every other word easier to spot. Scan the board edges for long words that span from one side to the other. Use the theme hint to narrow your focus, and earn hint tokens by finding non-theme words when stuck.
Definition
What is NYT Strands?
NYT Strands is a free daily word search puzzle where players find themed words hidden in a 6x8 letter grid. Words connect through adjacent letters in any direction. Each puzzle includes a spangram — a special word that touches two opposite sides of the board and reveals the theme.
Overview
A solid Strands strategy transforms the game from random letter scanning into systematic problem-solving. This guide covers the techniques experienced players use to find theme words quickly, identify spangrams efficiently, and manage hint tokens when stuck.
Key Strategies
- Spangram identification techniques
- Theme interpretation strategies
- Hint token management
Quick Tips
- Always read the theme hint before scanning the board
- The spangram reveals the theme — finding it first gives you the biggest advantage
- Theme words never overlap with each other on the grid
- Non-theme words earn hint tokens — three non-theme words equals one hint
- Spangrams can zigzag, curve, or travel diagonally across the board
- After finding the spangram, re-read the theme hint with the theme in mind
Strands puzzle structure
Quick Facts
6x8
Grid size
6-8 per puzzle
Theme words
1 per puzzle
Spangrams
Strands puzzle analysis and community strategies, 2024-2025
Why finding the spangram first matters
The spangram is the most important word in every Strands puzzle because it literally defines the theme. When you find the spangram, the game highlights it in a distinct color and the theme becomes clear. Without the spangram, you are essentially guessing what category of words to look for. With it, you have a specific mental filter that makes every subsequent word easier to spot. For example, if the spangram is BREAKFAST, you immediately know to look for words like PANCAKE, WAFFLE, CEREAL, and BACON. Without knowing the theme, those same letter patterns might not stand out among the surrounding noise. Experienced players consistently report that puzzles where they find the spangram first take half the time of puzzles where they find it last.
How to spot the spangram
Spangrams must touch two opposite sides of the board, either top-to-bottom or left-to-right. This constraint is your biggest clue. Start by examining letters along the edges of the grid, since the spangram must begin on one edge and end on the opposite edge. Look for common word beginnings (UN-, RE-, PRE-, OVER-) along the top or left edges and common endings (-TION, -ING, -MENT, -NESS) along the bottom or right edges. The spangram typically contains 7 to 12 letters and can travel in any direction including diagonals and zigzag paths. It does not need to go in a straight line. Practice tracing potential paths from one edge to the other, checking if the letter sequence forms a recognizable word related to the theme hint.
Interpreting theme hints effectively
The theme hint at the top of each Strands puzzle is deliberately cryptic, often using wordplay or double meanings. Successful interpretation requires thinking about the hint from multiple angles. If the hint says 'On a roll,' the theme could be about bread, bowling, dice, or even toilet paper. Consider both literal and figurative meanings. If your first interpretation does not yield words on the board, try the alternative meaning. The theme hint combined with the spangram creates a powerful focusing tool. Even if you are unsure about the hint's meaning initially, finding two or three theme words usually clarifies the pattern. Do not spend more than 30 seconds on the hint before starting to scan the board, because seeing actual words often triggers the correct interpretation.
Managing hint tokens strategically
Hint tokens are earned by finding valid English words that are not part of the theme. Three non-theme words equal one hint token, which highlights the location of an unfound theme word. The strategic decision is when to use them. Finding non-theme words takes time, and using a hint token removes some of the solving satisfaction. The optimal approach is to save hint tokens for the last one or two words when the remaining letters on the board are sparse and patterns are harder to see. If you are completely stuck early in the puzzle, spending time finding non-theme words can actually be productive because it eliminates letters from the grid, making theme words more visible. The letters used by non-theme words are not permanently removed, but mentally tracking which areas you have already checked prevents redundant scanning.
Advanced scanning techniques
Efficient grid scanning separates fast solvers from slow ones. Instead of reading the grid left-to-right like text, use a targeted approach. After identifying the theme, think of words that fit the theme and then look for their starting letters on the grid. This target-first approach is faster than scanning every letter combination. For example, if the theme is fruits, actively look for P (peach, plum, pear), B (banana, blueberry), and M (mango, melon) rather than passively scanning. Another technique is to work from solved words outward. Since theme words never overlap, the letters adjacent to a solved word's boundary are strong candidates for the start of another theme word. Finally, pay attention to uncommon letter combinations on the grid. If you see a Q near a U, or an X near an I, those unusual pairings often belong to theme words because the puzzle designers need to use every letter.
Key Takeaway
The single most important Strands strategy is finding the spangram first. It reveals the theme, which transforms blind letter scanning into targeted word hunting. Every other technique — hint token management, edge scanning, theme interpretation — becomes more effective once you know what you are looking for.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a spangram in Strands?
A spangram is a special word that touches two opposite edges of the Strands grid (top-to-bottom or left-to-right). It reveals the puzzle's theme and is usually 7 to 12 letters long. Each puzzle has exactly one spangram.
How do hint tokens work in Strands?
Finding three valid non-theme words earns one hint token. Using a hint token highlights the location of an unfound theme word on the grid. Tokens help when you are stuck but cost time to earn.
Do all letters get used in Strands?
Yes. When a Strands puzzle is fully solved, every letter on the board belongs to either a theme word or the spangram. No letters are left uncovered.
Can Strands words go diagonally?
Yes. Words in Strands can travel in any direction: horizontal, vertical, diagonal, and any combination. Letters must be adjacent (including diagonally adjacent) to form a valid word path.
What time does Strands reset?
NYT Strands resets at midnight Eastern Time daily. A new puzzle with a new theme and spangram is available at that time.
How many words are in a Strands puzzle?
Each Strands puzzle typically contains 6 to 8 theme words plus one spangram. The exact number varies by puzzle since it depends on word lengths and the 6x8 grid layout.
Written by
Connections Hintz Editorial Team
Our team solves every NYT puzzle daily and publishes verified hints within minutes of each reset. With 500+ puzzles analyzed across Connections, Wordle, Strands, Spelling Bee, Mini Crossword, and Letter Boxed, we specialize in spoiler-free guidance that helps you solve puzzles on your own.
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