If you are a true original, the hints for today’s NYT Strands are clear-cut.

Strands, the New York Times‘ elegant word-search challenge, offers a twist on the classic word search. Words can be created from adjoining letters in any direction, including diagonal arrangements, and can shift directions, forming distinct shapes and designs. Each letter within the grid contributes to a solution. A common theme binds all solutions together, along with the “spangram,” a unique word or phrase that embodies the day’s theme and stretches across the grid either horizontally or vertically.

By providing an ambiguous hint and leaving out the word list, Strands forms a demanding game that typically takes longer to complete in comparison to others such as Wordle and Connections.

If you find yourself at a standstill or pressed for time, we offer all the NYT Strands hints you need to tackle today’s puzzle at your own pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: I’ve never witnessed that before!

The words pertain to freshness.

Today’s NYT Strands theme clearly articulated

These words depict innovation.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it oriented vertically or horizontally?

Today’s NYT Strands spangram is oriented vertically.

NYT Strands spangram answer for today

Today’s spangram is Break New Ground.

NYT Strands word compilation for January 3

• Inventive

• Seminal

• Break New Ground

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