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 #221) – hint #1 – today’s theme

What is the theme of today’s NYT Strands?

Today’s NYT Strands theme is… Think about it

NYT Strands today (game #221) – hint #2 – clue words

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

  • MASS
  • PASS
  • MAST
  • PAST
  • PASTY
  • PASTRY

NYT Strands today (game #221) – hint #3 – spangram

What is a hint for today’s spangram?

Where’s Strands?

NYT Strands today (game #221) – hint #4 – spangram position

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

First: left, 4th row

Last: 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 #221) – the answers

NYT Strands answers for game 221 on a blue background

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today’s Strands, game #221, are…

  • JUMBLE
  • SUDOKU
  • JIGSAW
  • MAZE
  • CROSSWORD
  • CRYPTOGRAM
  • SPANGRAM: PUZZLES

  • My rating: Easy
  • My score: Perfect

Give me a puzzle and I’ll solve it; give me a puzzle about puzzles and I’ll solve it and enjoy every second while doing so. Today’s Strands is exactly that – a puzzle about puzzles. I was somewhat surprised not to see Wordle, Connections or indeed Strands in there, but the likes of SUDOKU, JUMBLE and CROSSWORD were all obvious enough that this didn’t cause me any trouble.

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


Yesterday’s NYT Strands answers (Wednesday 9 October, game #220)

  • HALL
  • OFFICE
  • STUDY
  • KITCHEN
  • LIBRARY
  • PANTRY
  • FOYER
  • SPANGRAM: HOMEROOM

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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