Strands Hints Today

Strands hint today — clues, spangram (6 letters) & answers

We solve the Strands grid at dawn Eastern Time so you get targeted hints the moment the New York Times publishes. Reveal the clue, spangram, and theme words at your own pace, then jump into strategy notes to keep your streak alive.

What is Strands? Strands is a daily NYT word puzzle where you find themed words hidden in a grid of letters by connecting adjacent characters. Each puzzle includes a spangram that spans the entire board and reveals the theme. Every letter on the board belongs to exactly one answer.

Daily spangramTheme word revealsUpdated seven days a week
Updated dailyVerified spangrams680+ puzzles covered

Strands hint • Puzzle #888

NYT Strands for February 19, 2026

Reveal the clue and answers one beat at a time. Tap the chips below to uncover the spangram letter by letter, flip theme words when you need confirmation, and compare your solve path with our quick strategy coaching.

6 theme wordsSpangram length 63 recent puzzles

Here's a thought

Spangram reveal

Tap each tile to uncover the full word, or reveal every letter at once.

Theme word lineup

Work through the grid first, then flip cards to check each discovery. The Strands editors love wordplay—expect rhymes, puns, and category twists.

Solve smarter

  • Scan the board for double letters or mirrored diagonals—editors often hide the spangram in those shapes.
  • When a theme word confirms part of the clue, shuffle remaining tiles and hunt for similar endings or prefixes.
  • Capture your streak by bookmarking the puzzle once you finish. Returning the next day keeps the difficulty curve manageable.

Previous Strands puzzles

Feb 18, 2026Feb 17, 2026Feb 16, 2026View full archive

FAQ

Strands hints, spangram tips, and archive questions answered

New to NYT Strands or trying to secure a streak? Use these quick answers to understand release times, common tactics, and how to revisit older puzzles.

When do you publish the NYT Strands hint?
We post the clue, spangram, and theme word breakdown just after the puzzle unlocks at midnight Eastern Time, so you can check in before your morning solve.
What is the fastest way to reveal the Strands spangram?
Tap individual tiles to expose the spangram letter by letter, or use the reveal button once you've made your own guess. The word always connects directly to the daily clue.
How many theme words appear in each Strands puzzle?
Most grids hide six theme words, but the total can vary. We list every word in today's puzzle so you can double-check your progress without spoiling the whole board.
Can I view older Strands puzzles?
Absolutely. Scroll to the Strands archive to jump to previous dates and replay the spangram and theme words you might have missed.
What strategies help with tricky Strands themes?
Cluster similar letters together, look for symmetrical patterns, and search for plural endings. Editors frequently use rhymes, homophones, or layered puns in tougher puzzles.
Do you cover other NYT word games?
Yes. We publish daily guidance for Connections, Wordle, Mini Crossword, Letter Boxed, Strands Sports Edition, and more in our NYT games hub.

Strands clues, answers & strategy insights

NYT Strands rewards solvers who can spot relationships between letter clusters quickly. Our editors track every puzzle to spot recurring patterns, weekly difficulty swings, and the wordplay devices that show up in tough spangrams. Use those observations to build your instincts—and to know when to expect trickier cultural references.

Guided practice

Train with our curated Strands archive and compare how often themes repeat week to week.

Pattern spotting

Learn how editors hide the spangram in plain sight and when to expect letter swaps, word ladders, and rhyming clusters.

NYT games hub

Rotate between Strands, Connections, and Wordle to keep your vocabulary sharp. Our daily games companion collects fresh hints for every grid.

How to play Strands

  1. 1

    Read the theme clue

    The cryptic clue hints at the common thread connecting all hidden words.

  2. 2

    Find themed words

    Connect adjacent letters (including diagonals) to form words matching the theme.

  3. 3

    Look for the spangram

    One word spans edge to edge across the board, directly revealing the theme.

  4. 4

    Use hint tokens

    Find non-themed words to earn tokens that highlight letters in undiscovered themed words.

  5. 5

    Complete the board

    Find all themed words and the spangram. Every letter is used when the puzzle is solved.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about NYT Strands

Learn about spangrams, theme words, reset times, and strategies for finding hidden words in the Strands grid.

  • Today's Strands spangram is revealed in our hints section above. We show the spangram length first as a spoiler-free clue, then let you reveal the full spangram word when you're ready.
  • A spangram is a special word that spans from one side of the board to the other, touching both edges. It reveals the puzzle's theme and is highlighted in yellow when found. Every Strands puzzle has exactly one spangram.
  • Strands resets at midnight Eastern Time (ET) every day. A new puzzle with a fresh theme and spangram is available right at the reset.
  • Find all the theme words hidden in a 6x8 letter grid. Words can go in any direction and must connect letter-to-letter. Find the spangram first to reveal the theme, then locate the remaining theme words.
  • Finding three valid non-theme words earns you a hint that reveals one theme word's location. This is a useful strategy when you're stuck.
  • Many players find it helpful to locate the spangram early since it reveals the theme. However, some prefer to find obvious theme words first and let the spangram emerge naturally.
  • Most Strands puzzles have 6 to 8 theme words plus the spangram. The exact count varies daily based on the theme. Every letter on the board belongs to exactly one theme word or the spangram.
  • Yes, Strands words can go in any direction including diagonally. Letters must connect adjacently (including diagonal adjacency), and the path can twist and turn freely as long as each letter touches the next.
  • Yes, Strands is completely free and does not require a New York Times subscription. It is accessible through the NYT Games website and app with no paywall.

Sources & References

Recommended guides

Today's Strands Hints

Theme clues and spangram direction without full spoilers.

Spangram Guide

How to find the spangram and use hint tokens.

Strategy Guide

Systematic word-finding and spangram identification techniques.

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Browse past Strands hints

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