If you're diving into the Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, you’re in for a unique twist on the classic format. In Strands, players form words from linked letters that can be arranged up, down, left, right, or diagonally, with the ability to shift directions and create quirky shapes. Each letter in the grid contributes to an answer, and there's always a singular theme tying together all the solutions. Alongside this theme is the spangram—a special word or phrase encapsulating that day’s theme, stretching across the grid either horizontally or vertically. As you tackle today’s puzzle, we understand it can be a brain-teaser; since the hints provided lack a word list, it might feel more cumbersome than other games like Wordle or Connections. But fear not! We’ve compiled all the hints you’ll need to keep up with the NYT Strands today, perfect for players who may need a light push to proceed at their own pace. Remember to keep an eye out for these common names doubling as words. Today’s NYT Strands spangram is vertical, highlighting common first names: Drew, Will, Chuck, Jimmy, Robin, Chase, and Miles. If you’re looking for other engaging online games, check out Mashable's Games page for hints, and explore more puzzles across our hub, including Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and more. If today isn’t your day for Strands, we’ve provided a complete solution to guide you. As we wrap up this week, we hope today’s Strands brings you joy. We promise to return, aiding you through grids as we unveil words together. Enjoy your weekend, and let's solve this Strands puzzle together!
