Strands is a themed word search. You get a 6 by 8 board of letters and a short clue, and you find words by connecting letters that touch in any direction, including diagonally. Every letter on the board belongs to exactly one word.
The spangram
One answer is the spangram, a word or phrase that names the theme. It always stretches between two opposite sides of the board. Finding it early helps, because it tells you exactly what the other words have in common.
In-game hints
Any valid word of four letters or more that is not a theme word still counts toward a hint. Find three, and the game highlights the letters of one theme word.
Tips
- Read the clue twice. Clues are often puns, so think about double meanings.
- Start at the edges and corners. Letters there have fewer neighbors, so the words that use them are easier to trace.
- Look for uncommon letters. A lone J, Q, X or Z narrows down which words can pass through it.
- Use leftovers. Since every letter is used once, an isolated pocket of letters must form a word on its own.
Our daily hints give the number of theme words, the spangram's length and direction, and each word's first letter, so you can choose exactly how much help you want.
Strands questions
How does Strands work?
Strands gives you a 6 by 8 board of letters and a short clue. You find theme words by connecting adjacent letters in any direction, and every letter on the board is used exactly once.
What is the spangram?
The spangram is a special word or phrase that describes the theme. It touches two opposite sides of the board, either top and bottom or left and right.
How do in-game hints work?
Finding three non-theme words of four letters or more earns a hint, which highlights the letters of one theme word.
When does the new Strands come out?
A new Strands puzzle starts at midnight local time each day.
Can letters be used twice?
No. Each letter belongs to exactly one word, so the finished board has no letters left over.