Strands is the NYT’s latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it’s great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my Wordle today, NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers.

Your Strands expert

Marc McLaren
Your Strands expert

Marc McLaren

NYT Strands today (game #187) – hint #1 – today’s theme

What is the theme of today’s NYT Strands?

Today’s NYT Strands theme is… Just right

NYT Strands today (game #187) – hint #2 – clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

  • BRIDGE
  • SHARE
  • SHARPIE
  • BRIDE
  • RIDE
  • BRASH

NYT Strands today (game #187) – hint #3 – spangram

What is a hint for today’s spangram?

Bear-y tale

NYT Strands today (game #187) – hint #4 – spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today’s spangram touches?

First: left, 5th row

Last: right, 5th row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #187) – the answers

NYT Strands answers for game 187 on a blue background

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today’s Strands, game #187, are…

  • PORRIDGE
  • BEDS
  • CHAIRS
  • MAMA
  • BABY
  • PAPA
  • HARD
  • SOFT
  • SPANGRAM: THREEBEARS

  • My rating: Moderate
  • My score: Perfect

A good Strands puzzle can itself be a lot like the Goldilocks and the Three Bears story that provides the theme for today’s game: not too easy, not too hard, but just right.

And by that measure, this is a good Strands puzzle, because it sits comfortably in that middle range, presenting a challenge for sure, but not an insurmountable one.

The theme clue – that aforementioned just right – provided a relatively obtuse hint to the concept, but fortunately I spotted PORRIDGE very early on and knew then what was needed here. But actually finding the words was a different matter. It’s a long time since I’ve read the story, obviously, and while I recalled some bits – BEDS and CHAIRS were easy – I got a bit stuck after that.

Fortunately, placing the THREEBEARS spangram made the process a lot simpler, and I was able to fill in the remaining answers after a little thought and a lot of searching.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.


Yesterday’s NYT Strands answers (Thursday 5 September, game #186)

  • POTATO
  • TURNIP
  • BEET
  • TARO
  • RUTABAGA
  • JICAMA
  • SPANGRAM: ROOTVEGETABLES

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT’s new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It’s now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT’s games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I’ve got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you’re struggling to beat it each day.

Services MarketplaceListings, Bookings & Reviews

Entertainment blogs & Forums

Advantages of local domestic helper.