If you are perusing this, you are looking for some help with Strands, the New York Times’ sophisticated word-search game.

Strands presents players with an innovative twist on the classic word search. Words can be constructed from adjacent letters in any orientation, including diagonally, and can alter their direction, forming unique shapes. Each letter in the grid contributes to an answer. A theme always connects all the solutions, accompanied by the “spangram,” a specific word or phrase that embodies the day’s theme and covers the whole grid either horizontally or vertically.

By providing a vague clue and omitting a word list, Strands offers a mind-bending game that generally requires more time to play compared to other games like Wordle and Connections.

If you find yourself in a bind or lack 10 or more minutes to tackle today’s puzzle, we have all the NYT Strands hints you require to move forward at your own pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: No gray area

The words refer to two-toned items.

Today’s NYT Strands theme clearly defined

These terms are colorless items.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today’s NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer for today

Today’s spangram is Black and White.

NYT Strands word list for September 9

– Piano
– Penguin
– Newspaper
– Orca
– Black and White
– Dice
– Domino

Seeking other daily online games? Mashable’s Games page provides more hints, and if you want additional puzzles, Mashable has games available!

Visit our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword puzzles, and more.

Not the date you’re looking for? Here’s the answer to yesterday’s Strands.