Seeking some assistance with today’s Strands puzzle from The New York Times? You’ve come to the perfect spot.

Strands presents a clever variation on the classic word search. In this game, words are concealed within a grid and can be crafted by linking letters in any direction — up, down, sideways, or diagonally. Yet, there’s a twist: words can also curve and alter direction, forming unconventional shapes. Every letter in the grid contributes to the solution, and all the words are interconnected by a common theme.

A distinctive aspect of Strands is the “spangram” — a special word or phrase that embodies the theme of the day. It spans the entire grid either horizontally or vertically.

Strands poses a slightly greater challenge compared to other NYT games like Wordle or Connections. It doesn’t provide a word list, and the theme hints can sometimes be quite ambiguous. That’s part of the enjoyment — and the annoyance. If you find yourself pressed for time or just need a little push in the right direction, we have the hints and answers to assist you.

🧩 NYT Strands Hint for Today’s Theme: I’m here to help!
Consider items that have some sort of protective layer.

🔍 Theme Explained:
All the words are associated with things that come with a shell or covering.

📏 Spangram Direction:
Today’s spangram extends horizontally across the grid.

💡 Spangram Answer:
Shells

📝 Word List for April 28:

– Taco
– Nautilus
– Shells
– Tortoise
– Nucleus
– Walnut
– Armadillo

🎮 Want additional games?
Visit Mashable’s Games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, crosswords, and other brain challenges.

📅 Missed a day?
Looking for the April 27 puzzle? Discover yesterday’s Strands solution here.

Enjoy puzzling!