The Strands game is a unique puzzle that combines elements of crosswords and word searches, requiring players to find hidden words within a board that reflect a specific theme. The most important word to solve is the spangram, which will span the entire board and highlight when a player has found it. Solving the spangram typically makes the rest of the puzzle easier to complete.
In Strands, words can travel any direction (up, down, left, right, and diagonal) and each letter can only be used once. There is one correct solution for each puzzle, and players can submit non-theme words they see on the board for credit towards a hint. If three such words are submitted, the “Hint” button becomes clickable, highlighting all letters of a theme word in its correct order.
The goal of Strands is to correctly identify all letters on the board, including the spangram and all theme words. When solved, players receive a shareable card with blue dots indicating found theme words, a yellow dot when the spangram is discovered, and a lightbulb 💡 for hints received.
To play Strands, visit the New York Times website or download the NYT Games app to access the game board and clues. The puzzle’s theme will be revealed by a phrase giving a hint at the board’s content, such as “Better with age” in the case of a related puzzle.
Source: https://lifehacker.com/entertainment/strands-nyt-hint-today-pretty-as-a-picture-august-2-2025