If you are examining this, you are looking for help with Strands, the New York Times‘ intricate word-search game.

Strands presents players with a variation on the classic word search. Words can be constructed from adjacent letters — whether up, down, left, right, or diagonal, with the flexibility to shift directions, forming distinctive shapes and patterns. Each letter in the grid contributes to an answer. A theme consistently ties together all solutions, alongside the “spangram,” a particular word or phrase embodying the day’s theme, spanning the entire grid either horizontally or vertically.

By presenting a vague hint and omitting the word list, Strands offers a challenging experience that requires more time to complete than other games such as Wordle and Connections.

If you find yourself at an impasse or lack 10 or more minutes to tackle today’s puzzle, we have all the NYT Strands hints necessary to advance at your own speed.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Back to school

The words pertain to the classroom.

Today’s NYT Strands theme simply elucidated

These words are items essential for students.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today’s NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today’s spangram is Supplies.