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About Game
Step into Strands, a brand-new puzzle experience meticulously crafted by The New York Times Games team, where word-hunting becomes an art form. Navigate a 6-by-8 letter grid as you uncover cleverly interwoven theme words hidden within. Your only clue? A unique "spangram" stretching across the board, revealing the central theme and guiding your journey. There's no word bank here—each word must be formed by connecting letters freely in all directions: up, down, diagonally, twisting and turning through the grid. Are you ready? A thrilling battle of letters and logic awaits.
How to Play
1. Getting Started
Launch Strands and you'll be greeted with a 6×8 grid of letters. Your mission? Discover a set of words all connected by a common theme—plus one very special word, the spangram, which captures the puzzle's essence and stretches across two opposite sides of the board.
2. Finding Words
Words can snake through the grid in any direction: vertically, horizontally, diagonally—and you can switch directions mid-word. Every letter belongs to one word only, and no letter can be reused within a single word. Precision and creativity are your best tools.
3. Cracking the Theme
At the heart of each puzzle is a theme, subtly hinted at in the "Today's Theme" clue displayed on the board. This theme ties together every word you need to find, including the all-important spangram.
4. The Spangram: Your Guiding Star
The spangram isn't just any word—it's the linchpin of the puzzle. It encapsulates the theme and physically connects two opposite edges of the grid. Spotting it early can unlock the puzzle's structure and lead you to other themed words.
5. Hints: How to Earn and Use Them
If you find three words that aren't part of the theme, you'll activate the Hint button. Use it to highlight one of the themed words on the board. The highlight will remain until you correctly identify that word—but keep in mind, you won't earn more hints until it's solved.
6. Completing the Puzzle
Keep searching until you've uncovered all the theme words and the spangram. There's no penalty for wrong guesses—in fact, incorrect words can help you earn more hints. Success comes when every themed word and the spangram are correctly identified.
7. No Word Bank, Just Brainpower
Unlike traditional word searches, Strands gives you no list to work from. The challenge lies in connecting the dots—literally—based on the theme and your own puzzle-solving instincts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Strands?
Strands is a creative and dynamic word search game developed by The New York Times Games team. Players explore a 6×8 grid of letters to uncover hidden words connected by a common theme. The key to revealing this theme lies in a special word called the spangram.
How do you play Strands?
The gameplay is simple yet challenging: connect letters—vertically, horizontally, diagonally, or with direction changes—to form words related to the day's theme. Each letter can only be used once per word. The spangram must stretch across two opposite sides of the grid.
Is there a hint system in Strands?
Absolutely! When you identify three valid words that are unrelated to the theme, the Hint button will be activated. Clicking it highlights the letters of one themed word, guiding you closer to cracking the puzzle.
Is Strands free to play?
Yes! Strands is completely free and can be played right in your web browser, making it accessible to anyone who enjoys a good word challenge.
What makes Strands unique?
Unlike traditional word search games, Strands adds a strategic twist by incorporating themed words and the spangram. Its hint system and the requirement for the spangram to connect two sides of the grid add extra layers of depth and fun.
Are mistakes penalized in Strands?
Not at all! Incorrect guesses aren't punished. In fact, they help you earn hints—encouraging experimentation and discovery as part of the solving process.
How often is Strands updated?
A brand-new puzzle is released daily, ensuring there's always a fresh challenge to look forward to.
Can I play Strands on my mobile device?
Yes! Strands works on any device with a web browser—including smartphones, tablets, and computers—so you can enjoy the game anytime, anywhere.
What happens if I find all the words?
If you uncover all the themed words and the spangram, you've solved the puzzle—congratulations! It's a satisfying achievement and a great warm-up for tomorrow's new challenge.
Is Strands suitable for all ages?
Definitely! With its intuitive design and scalable difficulty, Strands is enjoyable for players of all ages—from curious beginners to seasoned puzzle pros.