As of May 24, 2025, the New York Times has introduced a new puzzle game called NYT Strands. This engaging daily puzzle challenges players to uncover all the words on the grid, including a unique Spangram that spans two sides of the board, providing insights into the day's theme.
The New York Times launched its first crossword puzzle on February 15, 1942, in the Sunday Magazine, thanks to the efforts of Charles Erlenkotter and editor Margaret Farrar. This marked the newspaper as the first major publication to feature a crossword puzzle. Over the years, the NYT has rolled out various captivating games, including the Mini Crossword in 2014, followed by Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and Tiles. The immensely popular Wordle was introduced in 2022, along with Connections and now Strands.
Stuck on today's NYT Strands puzzle? We have some hints to ignite your curiosity. Keep reading to find the answers for today's challenge.
The theme for today's Strands is 'Flights of fancy'.
SPOILER ALERT: The hints and answers for today's NYT Strands are provided below. Be cautious, as these hints may reveal parts of the puzzle.
Spangram Hint: A top-tier category often associated with luxury, priority, or excellence.
Hint #1: A small, disposable cloth used for cleaning or refreshing.
Hint #2: A sparkling wine from France, commonly associated with celebrations and luxury.
The Spangram for today's NYT Strands puzzle is 'FirstClass'.
Strands is a unique game that merges elements from Connections, Spelling Bee, and traditional crossword puzzles. Players are presented with 48 letters arranged on a 6 x 8-inch board along with a daily theme. The objective is to solve the Spangram and identify all the theme-related words.
To play, connect letters on the grid to form words using your mouse or fingers on a touchscreen. You can link letters horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
Identifying the central theme word or Spangram will enhance your understanding of the Strands theme.
In addition to the Spangram, players should search for other theme words within the puzzle. Completing all words will solve the puzzle.
Uncover the theme words: Fill the grid with the theme answers, which will be marked in blue when found and will not overlap.
Discover the Spangram: Look for the Spangram, a vital piece that connects two opposite sides of the board. It encapsulates the theme and may consist of two words, highlighted in yellow once discovered.
Get hints: Use off-topic words as clues. For every three non-theme words revealed, letters will be highlighted to assist in finding a themed word without directly revealing it.