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 NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc’s Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

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

NYT Strands today (game #318) – hint #1 – today’s theme

What is the theme of today’s NYT Strands?

Today’s NYT Strands theme is… Thar she blows!

NYT Strands today (game #318) – hint #2 – clue words

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

  • CALM
  • BLUSH
  • PLEA
  • LACK
  • CLAY
  • CLUE

NYT Strands today (game #318) – hint #3 – spangram

What is a hint for today’s spangram?

Marine mammals

NYT Strands today (game #318) – hint #4 – spangram position

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

First side: left, 5th row

Last side: right, 4th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #318) – the answers

NYT Strands answers for game 318 on a blue background

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today’s Strands, game #318, are…

  • BLUE
  • RIGHT
  • GRAY
  • ORCA
  • BALEEN
  • HUMPBACK
  • SPANGRAM: WHALES

  • My rating: Easy
  • My score: Perfect

“Thar she blows!” sounds like a great thing to holler, but in truth unless you’re a lumberjack or in charge of triggering the dynamite for a demolition company how often in life do you get to shout it?

Maybe that’s why people like shouting it at less than timmmmmber-worthy moments – like during a game of Jenga, or when someone drops a couple of plates in a far-off restaurant kitchen, or when your cousin blows their nose. And why is it she? Can only female denoted things blow? Are trees, chimneys and tall buildings all ladies? Did they have any say in identifying as Mrs Tree? Anyway, I digress. Apologies. Strands wasn’t about that at all – it was about WHALES and their magnificent blowholes.

ORCA was the key to unlocking today’s theme, with BALEEN coming last for me.

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


Yesterday’s NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, 14 January, game #317)

  • PARKA
  • SCARF
  • JACKET
  • GLOVES
  • MITTENS
  • BEANIE
  • SPANGRAM: WINTER CLOTHES

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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