Issue #936 Fri 2 Jan
NYT Connections Hints & Answer — January 2, 2026
A steady, methodical grid that rewards patience. Two straightforward synonym groups provide a foundation, while the remaining pairs require a more lateral approach to the spelling.
yellow group 7 hints
Yellow group hints
A scrap of paper found in a coat pocket, covered in quick, scribbled reminders.
Clerical documentation
Synonyms
Members are 3–6 letters; first letters J, L, N, R.
WRITE
One is JOT.
JOT · LOG · NOTE · RECORD
green group 7 hints
Green group hints
A performer waiting in the wings, rehearsing the opening lines that have been practiced a thousand times.
Performance art
Synonyms
Members are 3–7 letters; first letters B, G, N, R.
SHTICK
One is BIT.
BIT · GAG · NUMBER · ROUTINE
blue group 7 hints
Blue group hints
A high jumper eyeing the crossbar, or the line drawn in the sand that separates amateur effort from professional output.
Metrics and measures
Synonyms
Members are 3–8 letters; first letters B, E, M, S.
BENCHMARK
One is BAR.
BAR · EXAMPLE · METRIC · STANDARD
violet group 7 hints
Violet group hints
A kitchen counter littered with the remnants of a garden harvest, where only the middle and end of the produce remain.
Wordplay
Omission of starting letters
Members are 3–5 letters; first letters A, E, H, Q.
VEGETABLES MINUS STARTING LETTER
One is ALE.
ALE · EEK · HIVE · QUASH
Spoiler zone
Complete Connections answer
Open only the solution you want to see. Each answer stays hidden until you choose to reveal it.
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Reveal the yellow group
WRITEJOT · LOG · NOTE · RECORD
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Reveal the green group
SHTICKBIT · GAG · NUMBER · ROUTINE
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Reveal the blue group
BENCHMARKBAR · EXAMPLE · METRIC · STANDARD
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Reveal the violet group
VEGETABLES MINUS STARTING LETTERALE · EEK · HIVE · QUASH
Verified solution for .
Frequently asked questions
Spoiler-free help for Connections on January 2, 2026. Every answer below helps you along without giving the game away — ready to see the full solution? See the complete Connections answer for January 2, 2026, or browse every Connections puzzle in the archive.
How hard is NYT Connections on January 2, 2026?
NYT Connections on January 2, 2026 rates 3 out of 4 on our difficulty scale — a tougher-than-average puzzle. As always you sort sixteen words into four colour-coded groups, and our hints tease what links each group without ever naming the words.
What's a spoiler-free hint for NYT Connections on January 2, 2026?
The hint ladder above starts with a one-line vibe for each of the four groups, then adds the connecting idea, then the wording of each category. You climb only as far as you need, and no grouped words are shown until the final reveal.
How many groups are in NYT Connections #936?
Four groups of four, ordered from the gentlest to the trickiest. For the categories and the sixteen words themselves, open the answer section on this page — the hints here keep them hidden.
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 4 groups · 16 words
Today on Cluestand
Today
- Difficulty
- Stiff
- At a glance
- 4 groups · 16 words