How to Play Strands: Rules, Tips & Spangram Guide
Strands is a themed word search puzzle where you find hidden words by dragging through letters in any direction. This guide covers the full rules, what a spangram is, and tips to solve faster.
What Is Strands?
Strands is a daily word puzzle from The New York Times Games. Unlike a classic word search, it uses a 6×8 grid of 48 letters hiding a set of theme words. Every letter belongs to exactly one theme word, and your goal is to find them all.
Each puzzle is built around a single theme — such as fruits, animals, or countries — that hints at the words you need to find.
How to Play Strands (Step by Step)
- Read the theme clue. The theme tells you what category the hidden words belong to.
- Find theme words. Click or drag through adjacent letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonally — to trace a word. Words must be at least 4 letters long.
- Find the spangram. Locate the special word that stretches from one side of the grid to the other. It is highlighted in yellow and usually names the theme.
- Complete the puzzle. Find every theme word and the spangram to fill all 48 letters and solve the puzzle.
What Is a Spangram in Strands?
The spangram is the one word per puzzle that touches two opposite edges of the grid — either top to bottom or left to right. It is highlighted in yellow and describes the theme itself. For example, if the theme is "in the kitchen drawer," the spangram might be CUTLERY DRAWER.
Strands Rules You Should Know
- Words can run in any direction, including diagonals, and can bend or turn.
- Every theme word is at least 4 letters long.
- Each of the 48 letters is used exactly once.
- There are no wrong guesses and no penalties — you can try as many words as you like.
How to Get Hints in Strands
When you are stuck, find any valid word of 4 or more letters that is not a theme word. Every three such words you find earn you one hint. A hint highlights the letters of an unfound theme word, giving you a starting point without revealing the full answer.
💡 Tips to Solve Strands Faster
- Start with short words. Finding small theme words first often reveals the spangram's shape.
- Use the spangram as an anchor. Once you spot it, the remaining words are usually easier to locate.
- Scan edges and corners. Long words often bend around the outer edges of the grid.
- Treat the theme literally. If the clue is "fruits," list fruits in your head before scanning the grid.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many letters are in a Strands puzzle?
A Strands puzzle uses a 6×8 grid with 48 letters total.
What is a spangram in Strands?
The spangram is the theme word that stretches from one side of the grid to the other, highlighted in yellow.
Can you play Strands unlimited?
Yes. The official NYT Strands gives one puzzle per day, but free unlimited versions let you play endless themed puzzles with no daily limit.
Is Strands free to play?
The New York Times offers one free Strands puzzle daily, while unlimited versions are available free on the web.