Strands NYT: Rules vs Connections
Strands NYT is a theme word search. Connections is a 16-word grouping puzzle. They share a publisher and a daily habit. They do not share a board.
In the October 1, 2026 DataForSEO sample, strands nyt showed about 823,000 monthly searches. That volume sits next to connections nyt because both queries are how people open Times word games. If you meant the grouping puzzle, the practice board is on the Connections page. If you meant the letter grid, use the official Strands game.
What you do in each game
| Rule | Connections | Strands |
|---|---|---|
| Board | 16 separate words | A grid of letters |
| Goal | Four groups of four | Every theme word, plus the spangram |
| Failure | Four wrong groups | Wrong paths, with a hint button on the official game |
| Colors | Yellow, green, blue, purple by difficulty | Theme words and the spangram are marked as you find them |
A spangram is the strand that spells a phrase spanning the grid from one side to the opposite side. The other words fit the day's theme and can bend through adjacent letters. None of that helps you decide whether sole belongs with fish or with parts of a shoe. That decision is Connections.
Where to play
The Times hosts Strands at nytimes.com/games/strands. Connections rules and the four-mistake limit are on the connections game page. Hints for the practice grouping boards stay in the hint hub.
Questions
Is Strands the same game as Connections?
No. Connections asks you to partition 16 given words into four groups. Strands asks you to find theme words hidden in a letter grid, including one spangram that touches two opposite sides.
Can I play Strands on this site?
No. This site plays the grouping game. The official Strands puzzle is on the New York Times games site.
Why do the two show up in the same searches?
Both are daily word games from New York Times Games, so people hunt for one URL and land on language about the other. The rules do not transfer.