If you are on this page, you may require help with Strands, the New York Times‘ intricate word-search puzzle.

Strands offers players a distinct variation of the conventional word search. Words can be created from adjoining letters in any orientation — upwards, downwards, sideways, or diagonally, and they may alter direction, forming unusual shapes and patterns. Each letter in the grid contributes to a solution. A theme links all solutions, alongside the “spangram,” a unique word or phrase that captures the day’s theme and stretches across the grid either horizontally or vertically.

By providing a vague clue and excluding the word list, Strands poses a stimulating challenge that typically takes more time to resolve compared to other games like Wordle and Connections.

If you find yourself unable to continue or lack 10 minutes to tackle today’s puzzle, we have all the NYT Strands hints you require to advance at your own pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Come one, come all!

The words pertain to festivals.

Today’s NYT Strands theme defined simply

These words represent items commonly found at a local fair.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today’s NYT Strands spangram is in the vertical orientation.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today’s spangram is County Fair.