The New York Times’ Strands puzzle presents a captivating twist on the traditional word search, demanding a sharp eye and strategic thinking. Like its counterparts Wordle, Connections, and the Mini Crossword, Strands can sometimes pose a formidable challenge. If you find yourself needing a nudge in the right direction, this guide offers hints, the spangram, and today’s Strands answers.
NYT Strands logo.
Decoding Strands: A How-To Guide
The objective of each Strands puzzle is to uncover the “theme words” concealed within a grid of letters. By dragging or tapping, manipulate the letters to form words, double-tapping the final letter to confirm your selection. Correctly identified theme words highlight in blue and become locked.
Non-theme words, while not the primary goal, contribute to your progress. Every three non-theme words of four or more letters earns you a hint, revealing the letters of a theme word for you to unscramble.
Each letter in the grid contributes to spelling out the theme words, with no letter used more than once and no overlapping letters. Every puzzle features a “spangram,” a special theme word or phrase that embodies the puzzle’s theme and spans two opposite edges of the board. The spangram highlights in yellow upon discovery. The ultimate goal is to complete the puzzle swiftly and efficiently, minimizing the use of hints.
Today’s Strands Puzzle: Hints and Solutions
The theme for today’s Strands puzzle revolves around the phrase “Love is in the apps.” Consider this hint: Think about the most frequented virtual meeting place for singles today.
Unveiling the Spangram
Let’s start by revealing the spangram, which can significantly aid in deciphering the theme and solving the remaining puzzle:
- ONLINEDATING
Today’s Strands Answers
Here are the complete solutions for today’s Strands puzzle:
- SWIPE
- PROFILE
- CHAT
- LIKE
- MATCH
- MEETUP
- GHOST
Mastering Strands: Tips and Strategies
While today’s solutions are provided, developing effective strategies enhances your puzzle-solving prowess. Look for prefixes, suffixes, and common letter combinations to identify potential words. Utilize the hints strategically, reserving them for when you encounter a roadblock. Most importantly, practice consistently to improve your word recognition and grid navigation skills. With patience and persistence, you can conquer the daily Strands challenge and emerge victorious.
