Hints and Solutions for NYT Connections: May 13, 2026

The NYT Connections puzzle for today is quite manageable if you have some knowledge of deli items.

Connections is a trending word game from the New York Times that has gained significant popularity. The objective of the game is to pinpoint “common threads between words.” Similar to Wordle, Connections restarts at midnight, with each fresh set of words becoming increasingly difficult—thus, we’ve compiled some hints and tips to assist you.

If you’re looking for today’s puzzle answer, feel free to jump to the end of this article. Otherwise, continue reading for clues, strategies, and tips.

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What is Connections?

The NYT‘s latest daily word game has turned into a viral sensation on social media. The Times acknowledges associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu for her role in developing the game and incorporating it into the Games section. Connections can be accessed on web browsers and mobile devices, requiring players to categorize four words that share a common connection.

Each puzzle consists of 16 words categorized into four groups. These categories may consist of book titles, software, country names, etc. While several words might appear to connect, only one perfect match exists.

When a player successfully identifies all four words in a category, those words are eliminated from the board. Incorrect guesses count as errors—players are allowed up to four errors before the game concludes.

Players have the option to rearrange and shuffle the board to find connections with greater ease. Each category is color-coded: yellow signifies the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Much like Wordle, you can share your results with friends on social media.

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Here’s a hint for today’s Connections categories

Want a clue about the categories without revealing them? Consider these:

  • Yellow: Deli order

  • Green: Reason

  • Blue: iPhone features

  • Purple: Jam