Today’s NYT Strands puzzle answer is what makes a home stand the test of time.
Move over, Wordle, Connections, Connections Sports Edition, and Mini Crossword—there’s a new NYT word game in town! The New York Times‘ recent game, “Strands,” is becoming increasingly popular as another daily activity fans can find on the NYT website and app.
With daily themes and “spangrams” to discover, this is the latest addictive game to cross off your to-do list before a new one pops up 24 hours later.
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We’ll cover exactly how to play Strands, hints for today’s Spangram, and all of the answers for Strands #966 on Sunday, October 25.
How to Play Strands
According to the New York Times, here’s exactly how to play Strands:
Find theme words to fill the board.
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Theme words stay highlighted in blue when found.
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Drag or tap letters to create words. If tapping, double-tap the last letter to submit.
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Theme words fill the board entirely. No theme words overlap.
Find the “spangram.”
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The spangram describes the puzzle’s theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. It may be two words.
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The spangram highlights in yellow when found.
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An example spangram with corresponding theme words: PEAR, FRUIT, BANANA, APPLE, etc.
Need a hint?
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Find non-theme words to get hints.
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For every three non-theme words you find, you earn a hint.
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Hints show the letters of a theme word. If there is already an active hint on the board, a hint will show that word’s letter order.
What Is Today’s Strands Hint for the Theme: “Something to build on”
If that doesn’t help, here’s a hint for today’s Strands game: Like the bottom of a house.
What Are Today’s NYT Strands Hints?
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
In today’s puzzle, there are five theme words to find (including the spangram). Here are the first two letters for each word:
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NYT Strands Spangram Hint: Is It Vertical or Horizontal?
Today’s Spangram is mostly diagonal.
NYT Strands Spangram Answer for October 25
Today’s Spangram answer for today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram, and Answers for Sunday, October 25, 2026, is FOUNDATIONS.
What Are Today’s NYT Strands Answers, Word List for Sunday, October 25?
Related: Today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram and Answers for Saturday, October 24, 2026
This story was originally published by Parade on Oct 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Life section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.