NYT Strands offers a daily puzzle, challenging players to find words related to a specific theme within a letter grid. A Spangram, spanning the board, provides a central clue to the daily puzzle’s theme.
The New York Times’ history in puzzle games began with the crossword. Over time, the NYT introduced the Mini Crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, Tiles, Wordle, Connections and Strands.
Struggling with today’s NYT Strands? Below you’ll find hints and answers for the September 11, 2025, puzzle, including the Spangram. Please be aware, the hints and answers are detailed in the next section.
**Theme:** ‘Take a break’
**Hints:**
* **Spangram Hint:** Personal time set aside just for yourself to relax or recharge.
* **Word Hints:**
1. To enjoy or learn from written words in a book or article.
2. To move at a steady pace on foot, often for relaxation.
**Answers:**
* READ
* WALK
* PAINT
* MEDITATE
* UNPLUG
* EXERCISE
* JOURNAL
**Spangram:** ‘ME TIME’
**Understanding Strands Gameplay:**
Strands combines elements of several puzzle games. Players must find the Spangram and identify other theme-related words.
Connect letters on the grid horizontally, vertically, or diagonally to form words.
**Tips for Solving the Puzzle:**
* **Uncover theme words:** Fill out the table with the theme answers. They will be marked in blue colour when found and do not overlap.
* **Discover the Spangram:** Look for the Spangram, a crucial puzzle piece that touches two opposite sides of the board. It sums up the topic and can include two words. It will be highlighted in yellow once found.
* **Get hints:** Look for off-topic words as a guide. Every 3 non-theme words you reveal; the letters will be highlighted with a clue to find a themed word without revealing the word directly.