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 #191) – hint #1 – today’s theme

What is the theme of today’s NYT Strands?

Today’s NYT Strands theme is… Give it a whirl!

NYT Strands today (game #191) – hint #2 – clue words

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

  • RICE
  • SICK
  • SOCK
  • BALL
  • TALL
  • SORT

NYT Strands today (game #191) – hint #3 – spangram

What is a hint for today’s spangram?

Come dancing

NYT Strands today (game #191) – hint #4 – spangram position

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

First: right, 5th row

Last: left, 6th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #191) – the answers

NYT Strands answers for game 191 on a blue background

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today’s Strands, game #191, are…

  • WALTZ
  • QUICKSTEP
  • FOXTROT
  • SALSA
  • JIVE
  • RUMBA
  • SPANGRAM: BALLROOMDANCE

  • My rating: Easy
  • My score: Perfect

I have never tried ballroom dancing, and I almost certainly never will – but that didn’t stop me completing this Strands puzzle in quick time. It’s a very simple one, helped no end by the fact that the spangram, BALLROOMDANCE, is very long and winds its way across the center of the board. This reduces the possibilities for the letters surrounding it, making it easy to spot the likes of QUICKSTEP and SALSA. Uncommon letters helped, too – there’s an X, a Z and a Q in there, and all are typically easier to work with than more common characters.

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


Yesterday’s NYT Strands answers (Monday 9 September, game #190)

  • BOCCE
  • CROQUET
  • CORNHOLE
  • HORSESHOES
  • BADMINTON
  • SPANGRAM: LAWNGAMES

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.

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